80th Birthday Blues: UN's Fight to Stay Relevant

Podcast Deep Dish on Global Affairs Podcast
Budget cuts, global crises, and a disengaged US, Deep Dish explores the UN at a pivotal moment and whether it can still deliver.
President Donald Trump speaks at the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2025. Play Podcast
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About the Episode

As the United Nations turns 80, it faces a legitimacy crisis fueled by budget cuts, global crises, and a United States President that is antagonistic toward the institution. This week’s UNGA highlights the stakes: What is the future US role on the global stage? Can the UN still deliver in a fractured world? Will a woman be the next UN Secretary General?  Longtime UN insiders Corinne Momal-Vanian and Richard Gowan discuss.

About the Speakers
Richard Gowan
Director of UN and Multilateral Diplomacy, International Crisis Group
Headshot of Richard Gowan.
Richard Gowan is the director of UN and multilateral diplomacy at the International Crisis Group, where he oversees advocacy work at the United Nations, liaising with diplomats and UN officials in New York.
Headshot of Richard Gowan.
Corinne Momal-Vanian
Executive Director, Kofi Annan Foundation
image of Corinne Momal-Vanian
Corinne Momal-Vanian is the Executive Director of the Kofi Annan Foundation. She previously held various senior positions for the United Nations, most recently as Director of Conference Management at the United Nations Office at Geneva (2015-2020) and Director of Information (2010-2015).
image of Corinne Momal-Vanian
Leslie Vinjamuri
President & Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Leslie Vinjamuri headshot
Dr. Leslie Vinjamuri joined the Council in 2025 as the president and chief executive officer, after previously serving as director of the US and the Americas program at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, known as Chatham House, in London. She brings nearly 30 years of experience working at the intersection of international affairs, research, policy, and public engagement.
Leslie Vinjamuri headshot

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