Annual Meetings

The ACUNS Annual Meeting is a global conference that provides members and the ACUNS community with a unique opportunity to discuss cutting-edge research and policy developments focused on the UN and global governance. Each year, the Annual Meeting is held in a different location and brings together scholars and practitioners from around the world, providing a chance to exchange ideas and establish new connections. Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 Annual Meetings were held in a virtual format, leading to record participation.

The conference is also an opportunity for the ACUNS community to recognize the winners of the ACUNS Dissertation Award and Book Award. An additional highlight is the John W. Holmes Memorial Lecture, offered by a prominent thought leader in the field of multilateralism and global governance. Detailed information about past meetings and John Holmes lectures is provided at the dedicated pages. 

2026 Annual Meeting

The 2026 Annual Meeting will take place between 1 – 3 July 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal. The conference will be ACUNS’ 39th annual meeting. Bookmark this page to check back again for more information about the 2026 conference.

Past Annual Meetings

A complete list of past Annual Meetings is provided below. More information regarding each meeting is available via the designated links.

2025: Environmental Multilateralism and Human Development
United Nations Environment Programme and UN Office | Nairobi, Kenya
23-25 June 2025

2024: Global Governance and Sustainable Development: Revitalizing Research to Support Multilateral Solutions
United Nations University and the University of Tokyo | Tokyo, Japan
20-22 June 2024

2023: Making, Keeping, and Sustaining Peace
United States Institute of Peace | Washington, DC
21-22 June 2023

2022: Evidence-Based Solutions for Intensifying Global Challenges
Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and UN Geneva | Geneva, Switzerland
23-25 June 2022

2021: Toward a Fit for Future UN System
Global Virtual Event 
24-26 June 2021

2020: UN @ 75: The Future of Partnership and Multilateralism
Coventry University – Global Virtual Event  | Coventry, United Kingdom
25-27 June 2020

2019: The UN and Africa: Progress Towards Achieving the SDGs
Stellenbosch University | Stellenbosch, South Africa
19-21 June 2019

2018: Human Rights, Migration, and Global Governance
Luiss University | Rome, Italy
12-14 June 2018

2017: Revitalizing the United Nations for Human Rights, Peace and Development
Sookmyung Women’s University  | Seoul, South Korea
15-17 June 2017

2016: Meeting the Challenges of Development and Dignity
Fordham University | New York City, United States
16-18 June 2016

2015: The UN at 70 – Guaranteeing Security and Justice
The Hague Institute for Global Justice and the Institute for Social Studies | The Hague, Netherlands
11-13 June 2015

2014: Global Governance: Engaging New Norms and Emerging Challenges
Kadir Has University | Istanbul, Turkey
19-21 June 2014

2013: Leadership in Global Governance
Lund University | Lund, Sweden
17-19 June 2013

2012: New Norms, New Actors, a New United Nations? Continuity and Change, ACUNS at 25
City University of New York | New York City, United States
13-15 June 2012

2011: Multiple Multilateralisms
Centre for International Governance Innovation | Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
2-4 June 2011

2010: New Security Challenges
University of Vienna | Vienna, Austria
3-5 June 2010

2009: Small, Middle, and Emerging Powers in the UN System
The University of the West Indies | Saint Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
4-6 June 2009

2008: The UN and the Global Development Architecture
Gustav Stresemann Institute | Bonn, Germany
5-7 June 2008

2007: The Study of International Organizations: Past, Present, Future
City University of New York | New York City, United States
6-8 June 2007

2006: Does Multilateralism Still Matter?
Pontifical Catholic University | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
8-10 June 2006

2005: Implementing the Millennium Declaration: The Five Year Review
Foreign Affairs Canada | Ottawa, Canada
16-18 June 2005

2004: Human Security Issues, Linkages, and Challenges
Geneva International Academic Network (GIAN-RUIG) | Geneva, Switzerland
30 June – 2 July 2004

2003: A World Free from Fear: Challenges for the UN and Multilateralism
United Nations Headquarters | New York City, United States
12-14 June 2003

2002: New Threats to Global Security: Challenges for the United Nations and Multilateralism
Universidade Nova de Lisboa | Lisbon, Portugal
21-23 June 2002

2001: Strategies for Sustainable Development and the Pressures of Globalization
University of the Americas | Puebla, Mexico
15-17 June 2001

2000: The Erosion of Traditional Paradigms: Transnationalism vs. Sovereignty in the New Millennium
Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) | Oslo, Norway
16-18 June 2000

1999: Rebuilding Torn Societies
United Nations Headquarters | New York City, United States
16-18 June 1999

1998: Fifty Years of “Peacekeeping”: What Actors, What Roles, What Futures?
Dalhousie University | Cornwallis Park, Nova Scotia, Canada
17-19 June 1998

1997: Regionalism, Sub-Regionalism, and the UN System
Center for Peace and Reconciliation | San Jose, Costa Rica
25-27 June 1997

1996: Promoting Economic and Social Development Role and Impact of the United Nations
International Training Center of the International Labour Organization | Turin, Italy
24-26 June 1996

1995: The United Nations in a Changing World: Looking to the Next Half-Century
City University of New York | New York City, United States
19-21 June 1995

1994: Approaching Fifty: The United Nations from Europe
Institute of Social Studies | The Hague, Netherlands
22-25 June 1994

1993: North – South Perspective
Laval University | Montreal, Quebec
17-19 June 1993 

1992: Fifth Annual Conference
International Monetary Fund | Washington, DC, United States
18-20 June 1992

1991: Fourth Annual Conference
Mexico Ministry of Foreign Relations | Mexico City, Mexico 
20-22 June 1991

1990: Third Annual Conference
City University of New York | New York City, United States
21-23 June 1990

1989: Second Annual Conference
Canadian Department of External Affairs | Ottawa, Canada
15-17 June 1989

1988: First Annual Conference
City University of New York | New York City, United States
23-25 June 1988

Last Updated: Wednesday, 10 September 2025