[Sold Out] At the Heart of Diplomacy
September 24, 2026, 18h30 - 22h30 Genève
Practical Information
At the Heart of Diplomacy: Geneva, the Last Bastion of a Fractured World? Multilateralism in Crisis and the Unique Role of International Geneva.
Geneva is home to the United Nations, more than 40 international organizations, and hundreds of permanent missions. Yet open conflicts, the Security Council’s paralysis, and widespread mistrust call into question the very purpose of multilateral diplomacy.
A roundtable discussion featuring three perspectives for a frank debate on what Geneva still has to offer the world. The government’s perspective, with Clément Leclerc, Consul General of France and former negotiator at the United Nations Security Council. The UN system’s perspective, with Corinne Momal-Vanian, former special assistant to Kofi Annan and former director at the United Nations Office in Geneva. The perspective of global trade, with Jean-Marie Paugam, Deputy Director-General of the WTO, where the breakdown of multilateralism is most tangibly evident.
The goal is to organize a high-level roundtable discussion focused on the current challenges facing diplomacy, the functioning of multilateralism, and the central role that Geneva continues to play in an increasingly fragmented international context.
With special guest Mr. Clément Leclerc, Consul General of France in Geneva. The event will take place at the residence of the Consul General of France in Geneva. The exact address will be provided directly to participants a few days before the event.
Schedule for the evening:
- A roundtable discussion lasting approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, followed by a Q&A session with the audience;
- Cocktail reception.
Please note: Space is limited to 60 participants.
Practical Information:
The site has parking for about 20 vehicles and is easily accessible by public transportation (about a 10-minute walk).
Mr. Clément Leclerc, Consul General
A graduate in international law and an alumnus of the Paris Institute of Political Studies and the National School of Administration (René Cassin class), Clément LECLERC is a career diplomat.
After completing his national service in the Alpine troops, he joined the Quai d’Orsay in 2003, where he pursued a career focused on diplomatic relations, multilateral negotiations, and consular affairs.
He first served in the executive branch of the United Nations and international organizations (2003–2006), and then at the Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations in New York, as part of the negotiating team at the Security Council (2006–2009).
He then joined the Office of the President of the Republic as a technical advisor for sub-Saharan Africa (2009–2012).
He served as First Counselor, the second-highest-ranking official at the French Embassy in Mexico (2012–2016). In 2016, he was appointed Consul General of France in Miami, with jurisdiction over Florida and Puerto Rico, among other areas.
From 2019 to 2023, he served as Deputy Director for Africa and the Indian Ocean at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
By decree of the President of the Republic, he was appointed Consul General of France in Geneva in 2023, where he took office on August 28. The consular district of Geneva covers the cantons of Fribourg, Vaud, Valais, Neuchâtel, Geneva, and Jura.
Ms. Corinne Momal-Vanian
Corinne Momal-Vanian is a former senior United Nations official and former Executive Director of the Kofi Annan Foundation. She led the Kofi Annan Foundation for six years, from 2020 to 2026. Previously, she held various high-level positions within the United Nations at several duty stations, including Director of the Division of Conference Management (2015–2020) and Director of the Public Information Service (2010–2015) at the United Nations Office in Geneva.
Ms. Momal-Vanian served as Special Assistant to Kofi Annan in 2005 and 2006, accompanying him to some twenty countries as he worked to resolve crises, ease tensions, draw attention to the plight of communities and individuals facing discrimination and abuse, strengthen international cooperation, and promote support for development and justice. She worked for a total of six years in the Office of the Secretary-General, after having served in the Department of Political Affairs as well as in two United Nations regional economic and social commissions.
A French national, Ms. Momal-Vanian has lived in 11 countries on four continents. During her career at the United Nations, she was stationed in New York, Baghdad, Bangkok, and Geneva. She holds a degree from HEC Paris, a degree in international relations from the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po), and an Executive Certificate in Management and Leadership from the MIT Sloan School of Management. She is married and the mother of two children.
Ambassador Jean-Marie Paugam
Jean-Marie Paugam has been Deputy Director-General of the WTO in Geneva since 2021.
He previously served as France’s permanent representative to the WTO and held several managerial positions in the areas of trade, development, and international finance within the French Treasury and the United Nations/WTO system.
He worked at the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI) as a senior researcher on trade policy issues, with a particular focus on development.
Mr. Paugam is an alumnus of the École Nationale d’Administration and holds degrees in business law and political science from the University of Aix-Marseille.