Global Diplomatic Forum

Global Diplomatic Forum
AbbreviationGDF
Founded2012
FounderYounes El Ghazi
TypeNon-governmental organization, registered charity
Registration no.1149226 (England and Wales)
HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
Key people
Younes El Ghazi (Founder and Chief Executive)
Websitegdforum.org

The Global Diplomatic Forum (GDF) is a London-based non-governmental organisation focused on diplomacy, international affairs education, and professional engagement.[1][2]

History

Founding and early activity (2012–2013)

The Global Diplomatic Forum was established by Younes El Ghazi in 2012 and is registered as a charity in England and Wales.[1]

In October 2013, the organization hosted a policy roundtable titled Diplomacy in the Middle East at the House of Commons in London. The event attracted international press coverage following remarks made by former British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw regarding Middle East policy and the influence of political lobbying organizations. The Jerusalem Post and The Times of Israel both reported on Straw's remarks, noting that the debate took place at a roundtable hosted by the Global Diplomatic Forum in the British House of Commons.[3][4][5][6][7] The event was subsequently documented by the United Nations Information System on the Question of Palestine.[8]

Multilateral participation and programme expansion (2014–2019)

In 2014, the Global Diplomatic Forum was listed as a participating entity at the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, a United Nations-supported initiative. The summit's official report listed GDF alongside international human rights organisations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.[9]

The second edition of the Young Diplomats Forum was held in Querétaro, Mexico in June 2014.[10] The fifth edition of the Young Diplomats Forum was held in Athens, Greece in June 2015, hosted in partnership with the Geo Routes Cultural Institute and with support from the European Commission Representation in Greece. Eighty delegates from 65 countries participated in sessions at venues including the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Parliament office in Athens, and the Athens Chamber of Commerce.[11]

Further editions were held in Zagreb (2016) and Kuala Lumpur (2018). By 2017, past participants had come from more than 150 countries across all editions, according to the International Relations Directorate of the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria.[12][13][14] During the tenth edition in London in July 2018, the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom hosted a Belt and Road Initiative forum for YDF delegates.[15][16] Brussels editions of the forum have been held in cooperation with Belgian governmental institutions, including the Flemish public administration.[17][18]

Washington D.C. edition and media profile (2025–2026)

The 2025 Washington D.C. edition of the Young Diplomats Forum was held at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at 555 Pennsylvania Avenue.[19][2]

References

  1. 1 2 "Global Diplomatic Forum — Charity Commission Register". Charity Commission for England and Wales. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  2. 1 2 Gotevbe, Victor (May 2025). "How the Young Diplomats Forum Equips Emerging Leaders for a Changing World". Diplomatic Watch. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  3. ↑ "Former UK Foreign Secretary: AIPAC is the main barrier to peace". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  4. ↑ "Ex-UK FM: Unlimited Jewish funds control US policy, block Mideast peace". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  5. ↑ "Britain's Jack Straw: Jewish funds wrecking Mideast peace possibilities". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 27 October 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  6. ↑ "Biggest Barrier To Peace is 'Unlimited' Funds Given to AIPAC, Says Jack Straw". The Forward. 27 October 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  7. ↑ "Former British Foreign secretary: Jewish money prevents peace". Ynetnews. October 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  8. ↑ "Chronological Review of Events — October 2013". United Nations Information System on the Question of Palestine. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  9. ↑ Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict — Post-Summit Report (PDF) (Report). United Nations. 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  10. ↑ "¡Bienvenidos! El gobernador encabezó el cóctel para recibir a los jóvenes diplomáticos de 70 países" [Welcome! The governor led the cocktail reception to receive young diplomats from 70 countries]. Vida Social, Noticias (Querétaro) (in Spanish). 12 June 2014.
  11. ↑ "Greece to Host Young Diplomats Forum for First Time". GTP Headlines. 4 June 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  12. ↑ "A Story of Young Diplomats Forum". MUNPlanet. 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  13. ↑ "Young Diplomats Forum 2018 Kuala Lumpur". Fiji Sun. 11 September 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  14. ↑ "Young Diplomats Forum 2017 — London and Riga" (in Portuguese). Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  15. ↑ "Chinese Embassy Holds Belt and Road Forum for Young Delegates from Global Diplomatic Forum". Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United Kingdom. 4 July 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  16. ↑ "The 10th Edition of Young Diplomats Forum, 2–6 July in London". Geneva Diplomacy Academy. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  17. ↑ "The Flemish Public Administration Welcomes the Young Diplomats Forum". Flanders Department of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  18. ↑ "Vlaamse Parlementaire Budgetdocumentatie" (in Dutch). Flemish Parliament. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  19. ↑ "Young Diplomats Forum — Washington DC 2025". Johns Hopkins University Group. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
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