The International Peace Institute (IPI), formerly the International Peace Academy, is an independent non-profit think tank, which was founded in 1970, based in New York. The institute previously had a regional office in the Middle East (Manama, Bahrain) and a regional office in Europe (Vienna, Austria).Horowitz, Jason, "Arab Spring ruining Yemeni diplomat’s summer," June 14, 2011, The Washington Post, retrieved May 5, 2017"UNDEF co-hosts International Day of Democracy event at International Peace Institute," September 24, 2013, United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), United Nations, retrieved May 5, 2017"INTERNATIONAL PEACE INSTITUTE: 'Côte d’Ivoire, a Successful Case of Crisis Management : A Look Back at the Experience and Lessons Learned'," panel event September 24, 2013, April 11th, 2017 at One UN Plaza, Diplomat Ballroom, United Nations, retrieved May 5, 2017
IPI specializes in multilateral approaches to peace and security issues, working closely with the United Nations system and its member states. Areas of focus include peace operations; peace, climate, and sustainable development; women, peace, and security; and human rights and humanitarian affairs. IPI states that it produces "evidence-based analysis and practical policy recommendations to inform debate and guide decision making on complex and emerging issues"; that it "engages policy- and decision-makers from the United Nations System, member states, regional organizations, civil society, and the private sector through candid discussion"; and that it "provides innovative and strategic advice on multilateral processes to these partners to help them develop and implement achievable and sustainable solutions." As of May 2024, IPI has a staff of approximately 38. Since March 2021, Zeid bin Ra'ad Al Hussein has been the president and CEO of IPI.
History
The International Peace Institute was created with support from UN Secretary-General U Thant in 1970, originally with the purpose of studying UN peacekeeping and developing peacekeeping doctrine, with strong financial backing from Ruth Forbes Paine Young. Its first President was Maj. Gen. Indar Jit Rikhye, Indian commanding officer of UN peacekeeping forces and a former military advisor to the UN Secretary-General. Under his tenure, IPI initiated an innovative program aimed at training civilians and military officers together for the challenges of preventing conflict and building peace. In 1990, under Olara Otunnu, a Ugandan diplomat and politician, IPI branched out into the political dimensions of war and peace. During this time, IPI became known for its case studies of UN field operations and for its forward-looking analysis on new roles for the UN in the security sphere. Otunnu also initiated IPI's Africa Program, currently its longest-running program. David M. Malone, a Canadian scholar-diplomat, took over as President in 1998, followed by Terje Rød-Larsen, from 2005 to 2020, a Norwegian sociologist and diplomat who has served the UN as its senior envoy in the Middle East, and a principal architect of the 1990s Oslo Peace Accords.Greenberg, Joel & Joby Warrick, "U.S. sends officials to reassure nervous allies: Mullen, former U.S. ambassador meet with Jordan's King Abdullah II," February 13, 2011, The Washington Post, retrieved May 5, 2017 IPI today focuses its work on multilateral cooperation, peace operations, climate change and sustainable development, women, peace, and security, human rights and humanitarian affairs.
Terje Rød-Larsen The organization's former president Terje Rød-Larsen had close ties to Jeffrey Epstein, leading to his forced resignation in 2020. IPI's board characterized Rød-Larsen relationship with Epstein "repugnant to the institution's core values". It commissioned an audit from KPMG, as well as other reviews and policy overhauls.
Norwegian authorities alerted US Epstein investigators in 2019 after reports that Rød-Larsen brought in young, unqualified women from Eastern Europe on very short internships whose photos were then taken in front of the UN building and shared with Epstein Investigation of these reports did not result in any publicly-disclosed criminal inquiries to individuals beyond Rød-Larsen and his wife, Norwegian diplomat Mona Juul. The lawyer for one woman “confirmed to the newspaper that she is one of Epstein's victims, but emphasizes that IPI is not connected to the abuse.” Further investigation by Verdens Gang and other media sources established that the tip shared in 2019 had been mischaracterized and referred to two specific cases, in which the lawyer for both victims stated, "Neither Terje Rød-Larsen nor IPI as an institution was involved in the sexual abuse or exploitation of Epstein's victims."Ofte Arntsen, Erlend, Eriksen, Magnus Borlaug, Tobiassen, Markus, "Varsleren til VG: Epstein-varsel til UD upresist gjengitt," February 21, 2026, Verdens Gang, retrieved February 21, 2026
Rød-Larsen described Epstein as "my best friend" and "a thoroughly good human being." Rød-Larsen, his wife Mona Juul and their children are accused of receiving personal substantial gifts from Epstein. In his will Epstein left 10 million US dollars to Rød-Larsen's children. Epstein also named Rød-Larsen the executor of his estate in a previous will.
Rød-Larsen has worked to bolster contact between the MAGA movement and the European far right, despite previously having been a Labour Party politician in Norway. Aftenposten described him as the central node in Epstein's network in Norway. Morits Skaugen, a since-bankrupt shipowner, said he was forced to sell his large Frogner apartment for half its value to Rød-Larsen and Juul, with Epstein acting as the middle man, stating that the sale was not voluntary and that his family was threatened on Rød-Larsen's and Juul's behalf by Epstein. Epstein showed Skaugen pictures of himself with the chairman of the bank that Skaugen's company had lent money from and a detailed map of all his business connections around the world, and also threatened to fire one of Skaugen's relatives from the International Peace Institute unless Skaugen sold Rød-Larsen the apartment for half its value, stating that "we can't continue with one of your family members working for us." He describes the actions taken by IPI's president with the help of Epstein as "mafia methods".
Activities
General The IPI works in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Central Asia that involves interacting with international diplomats, dignitaries and scholars (especially from the United Nations) to achieve its goals . These include direct consultation with diplomats and officials, conducting research and publishing reports, convening discussions and presentations, and encouraging and facilitating diplomatic activities of others. The IPI has convened "high-level" discussion panels made up of international diplomats, dignitaries and scholars (especially from the United Nations) to discuss major issues in international affairs affecting international peace and security. The organization publishes a wide range of reports relating to international diplomacy, peacekeeping and humanitarian responses to crisis.
Vienna Seminar The International Peace Institute (IPI) Vienna Seminar on Peacemaking and Peacekeeping is an annual event, held in Vienna, Austria since 1970. Over the years it has become a widely recognized forum for discussion of peace and security issues, addressed in a broad sense. It operates with additional support from the Austrian and Viennese governments, and the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna. The event includes presentations by major international diplomats and political officials.Spindelegger, Michael, Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, "FOREWORD" in Favorita Papers 01/2010: "The UN Security Council and the Responsibility to Protect: Policy, Process, and Practice," by Hans Winkler (DA), Terje Rød-Larsen (IPI) and Christoph Mikulaschek (IPI), editors, 39th IPI Vienna Seminar, Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, 2010, , retrieved May 5, 2017Häupl, Michael, Mayor and Governor of Vienna, "PREFACE," in Favorita Papers 01/2010: "The UN Security Council and the Responsibility to Protect: Policy, Process, and Practice," by Hans Winkler (DA), Terje Rød-Larsen (IPI) and Christoph Mikulaschek (IPI), editors, 39th IPI Vienna Seminar, Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, 2010, , retrieved May 5, 2017Hans Winkler (DA), Terje Rød-Larsen (IPI) and Christoph Mikulaschek (IPI), editors, Favorita Papers 01/2010: "The UN Security Council and the Responsibility to Protect: Policy, Process, and Practice," 39th IPI Vienna Seminar, Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, 2010, , retrieved May 5, 2017
Funding In 2020, Verdens Gang wrote that IPI has received 130 million Norwegian kroner "through the years" from the Norwegian Foreign Ministry. The Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation donated $375,000 in 2012. According to the IPI website, the organisation is funded by governments, philanthropic foundations, and individuals. Roughly 70% of annual funds are from government donors, and 22% of our funds are from philanthropic foundations. The remaining funds come from corporate sponsors, individuals, and board members. In the 2020–2021 financial statements, IPI declared US$10,311,911 in assets.
Leadership
Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussien – IPI President Jean Todt – chair of the IPI's Board of Directors; UN Special Envoy for Road Safety, and former president of Federation Internationale de L’Automobile
Notable individuals
Kevin Rudd – former chair of IPI's board of directors, and the 26th prime minister of Australia from 2007 to 2010 and June to September 2013. António Guterres – former honorary chair, Secretary-General of the United Nations.FNs generalsekretær har trukket seg fra styret i Rød-Larsens tankesmie [The secretary-general of the United Nations has resigned from the board of the think-tank of Rød Larsen] Ban Ki-moon – honorary chair and former Secretary-General of the United Nations, stepped down from IPI in 2016. Rita Hauser – former chairman of the board of directors, US diplomat to the United Nations for the administration of President Richard Nixon, intelligence advisor to the administrations of Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.Sonmez, Felicia "Members press China on Iran, currency, human rights", February 14, 2012, The Washington Post (Hauser's name & IPI title on list of signatories of a letter), retrieved May 5, 2017 Terje Rød-Larsen – former president of the foundation (2004–2020), Norwegian diplomat. Mortimer Benjamin Zuckerman – former vice chairman, secretary, and treasurer; owner, editor-in-chief and publisher of the New York Daily News newspaper and U.S. News & World Report magazine; chairman-emeritus of Boston Properties, Inc."Profile: Boston Properties, Inc.," Wall Street Journal, retrieved May 5, 2017 Edward Luck – senior vice president, director of studies and historian, and special adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General.Rohrabacher, Dana, Congressman,"Washington, Wed, Jul 29 - Foreign Affairs Full Committee Hearing on - New Challenges for International Peacekeeping Operations; Witnesses," in "Hill Happenings" Jul 27, 2009, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Congress, Washington, D.C., retrieved May 5, 2017 Elizabeth M. Cousens –former vice president, chief of staff to the United Nations Mission in Nepal, and policy advisor and counselor to the US Permanent Representative to the United Nations."President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts," October 07, 2011, Office of the Press Secretary, The White House, via the National Archives, Washington, D.C., retrieved May 5, 2017 John Hirsch – senior adviser; former US Ambassador to Sierra Leone.Kraft, Scott "Sierra Leone beach resort is village's ticket to better life," August 25, 2009, The Los Angeles Times, retrieved May 5, 2017 Warren Hoge – senior adviser for external relations.The International Peace Institute, retrieved June 26, 2019