In his remarks to the IIEA, Thant Myint-U reflects upon the future of world peace and the United Nations. Through the lens of his new book Peacemaker: U Thant, the United Nations, and the Untold Story of the 1960’s, Thant Myint-U explores safeguarding global peace, preventing great power war, and reimagine the United Nations. In his book, Thant Myint-U tracks the history of U-Thant, the first UN Secretary-General of colour, who became the Cold War era’s preeminent ambassador of peace, and played a crucial role in preventing conflict such as during the Cuban Missile Crisis. His remarks will reflect not only upon the events of the 1960’s, but the lessons which U-Thant’s tenure may offer us now during a moment of escalating global tensions.
About the Speaker:
Dr Thant Myint-U is an award-winning author, historian, and international public servant. He has written five books, most recently Peacemaker: U Thant and the Forgotten Quest for a Just World (forthcoming September 2025). He was educated at Harvard and Cambridge Universities and taught history for several years as a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. He has also served on three United Nations peacekeeping operations (Cambodia 1992-3 and the former Yugoslavia 1994-6) and from 2000-2007 at the UN Secretariat in New York. From 2011-2021, he helped lead reform efforts in Myanmar, including as a presidential adviser, the Founding Chairman of the Yangon Heritage Trust, and the Chairman of U Thant House. He currently lives in Cambridge and is an Honorary Fellow of Trinity College.
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23:27
Data and AI: How to Govern for Results in the Information Age
A Keynote address by Martin O'Malley
About the Speaker:
Martin O’Malley is a former Mayor of Baltimore and a former Governor of Maryland. Most recently, he served as President Biden’s Commissioner of Social Security. He is also a Patron of the Killarney Global Economic Summit 2026.
As a public servant and top executive, Martin O’Malley has pioneered a new way of performance-driven government at all levels including local, state, and national. Having worked for Grant Thornton, Guidehouse Advisories and a number technology companies, O’Malley brings a blend of private and public sector experience to some of the greater challenges facing humanity the world over.
His accomplishments in public service include putting Baltimore on the path to the largest ten-year crime reduction of any major city in America; enabling Maryland’s public schools to rank first in the US for five years in a row; and reversing a 300-year decline in the health of the waters of the Chesapeake Bay - the largest estuary in North America.
Martin O’Malley has taught at several leading universities in the US including Boston College, Harvard, Georgetown, Boston College Law, the University of Indian Kelley, Johns Hopkins Carey School of business. He is the author of Smarter Government — how to govern for results in the Information Age.
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19:01
The Effectiveness of EU Military Missions and Operations
In his remarks, the Director General of the EU Military Staff (DG EUMS) will underline the need for a more strategic, coherent, and adequately resourced Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). He will stress that EU military missions and operations are effective only when guided by a shared political vision among all twenty-seven Member States and aligned with the priorities of Host Nations. He will highlight the importance of developing an Integrated Campaign Plan to ensure coherence across all EU instruments and closer coordination with international partners. Finally, he will emphasise that under-resourcing and limited participation undermine effectiveness, and that genuine political will must translate into collective responsibility and tangible contributions to safeguard the EU’s credibility as a reliable security partner.
Speaker bio:
The Director General of the EU Military Staff (DG EUMS) is the European External Action Service’s (EEAS) senior military adviser and the principal source of its military expertise. He directs the EU Military Staff (EUMS), providing military advice and expertise to EU institutions. In a dual-hatted capacity, he also serves as Director of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC). As DG EUMS, he oversees early warning, situation assessment, and strategic planning for EU military missions, ensuring the effective operational planning and conduct of non-executive missions through the MPCC. He further supports crisis management, capability development, and maintains close coordination with the European Defence Agency (EDA).
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12:39
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12:39
Beyond Borders: The European Green Deal and Implications for the Global South
In an online address to the Institute, Dr Joana Portugal Pereira considers the environmental and social complexities of the EU's Green Deal beyond the EU's borders. She explores how the EU's Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Strategy may have adverse consequences on third countries, such as Brazil, should the EU rely on them for land-based carbon offsets. Dr Portugal Pereira argues for the adoption of a more equitable approach to climate action that supports global climate goals, while safeguarding the rights and livelihoods of communities in the Global South.
Speaker bio:
Dr Joana Portugal Pereira is an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Instituto Superior Técnico, ULisboa and Research Fellow at the Center for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research (IN+). She holds a PhD in Urban Engineering from The University of Tokyo (2011). Dr. Portugal Pereira has made significant contributions to global environmental assessments, serving as a lead author for several influential UN reports such as the IPCC Sixth Assessment Cycle, the UN Environment Programme's Seventh Global Environmental Outlook (GEO7), and the UNEP Emissions Gap Report. Her expertise lies in energy and land-based innovations for environmental mitigation and climate change adaptation.
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26:23
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26:23
Pete Shirlow and Lee Reynolds: Promoting the Union
This talk explores the future of unionism in Northern Ireland, examining both the opportunities and challenges facing those who wish to remain part of the United Kingdom. Drawing on polling data, historical context, and political strategy, Professor Pete Shirlow and Lee Reynolds highlight the shifting identities beyond the traditional unionist–nationalist divide, the need for a positive message, and the importance of engaging with the younger generation. Promoting the Union makes a case for building a forward-looking, persuasive vision of the Union.
About the Speakers:
Professor Pete Shirlow is Director of the Institute of Irish Studies at the University of Liverpool. He is an expert on conflict, peacebuilding, segregation, and post-conflict transformation, with a distinguished record of research, policy engagement, and public commentary. He serves as Independent Chair of the OFMDFM Employers’ Guidance on Recruiting People with Conflict-Related Convictions Working Group and is a board member of the mental health charity Threshold.
Lee Reynolds is the former Special Adviser to DUP First Minister Arlene Foster and previously served as the party’s Director of Policy. He also directed the Vote Leave campaign in Northern Ireland during the 2016 referendum. Drawing on his experience designing and interpreting opinion poll data, Lee is recognised for his strategic insight into shifting voter identities and the future of unionism and is often asked for his political commentary.
Netherlands