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Premium Members: The Art of Negotiation in an Age of Conflict: Dinner and Conversation with Ambassador Robert Wood

April 23, 2026 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM (PDT)

Description

Los Angeles World Affairs Council and the Global Affairs Committee of The Jonathan Club invite you to an intimate dinner and conversation with Ambassador Robert Wood, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and a seasoned diplomat who has represented the United States at the highest levels of international negotiation. 

Drawing on his direct experience engaging Iran and other adversaries, Ambassador Wood will offer an insider’s perspective on what it takes to negotiate under pressure, the complexities of preventing nuclear proliferation, and the indispensable role of alliances and international institutions in advancing U.S. interests. At a moment of heightened conflict, this conversation will provide a timely and candid look at diplomacy when the stakes could not be higher.

This event is for LAWAC premium members (Diplomat, Envoy, Ambassador, International Circle, Board, and Consular Corps). To upgrade your membership to the premium level, please contact Director of Membership & Advancement, Victoire Auguste-Dormeil (vdormeuil@lawac.org or 213-328-3181).


Bio:

Ambassador Robert Wood

Robert A. Wood was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on December 15, 2021, to serve as the Alternate Representative of the United States of America for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations and Alternate Representative of the United States for Special Political Affairs in the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations with the rank of Ambassador.  He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in September 2022, serving until 2025.

Ambassador Wood, a career Foreign Service Officer for 33 years before retiring in 2021, previously served as the United States Representative to the Conference on Disarmament and as United States Special Representative for Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) Issues at the United States Mission to the United Nations in Geneva from July 2014 – October 2021. From 2018-2021, he also served as the United States Commissioner of the Bilateral Consultative Commission of the New START Treaty.

Before serving in Geneva, he was Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Mission to the European Union from August 2013-2014. Ambassador Wood also served as the Deputy United States Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna, Austria from 2010-2013. From 2008-2010, he was the State Department’s Deputy Spokesman and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs. During the first six months of the Obama Administration, he served as Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs and Acting State Department Spokesman.

From 2004-2008 he served as the Press Attaché at the United States Embassy in Berlin, Germany. Prior to his assignment to Berlin, he was Deputy Spokesman at the United States Mission to the United Nations in New York from 2001-2004. In Washington, Ambassador Wood worked as a public affairs advisor for the Bureau of African Affairs, as a special assistant to the Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, and in positions dealing with the Balkans.

Ambassador Wood also served in public affairs positions in Mexico City, Mexico; Lagos, Nigeria; Islamabad, Pakistan; and Pretoria, South Africa. He speaks German, Spanish and French.

In 2021, Ambassador Wood received the Meritorious Presidential Rank Award. He has also received multiple Senior Foreign Service Performance awards. He was awarded in June 2019 a Knighthood of the Order of Lafayette. He graduated Cum Laude from the City University of New York with a B.A. in Journalism in 1985.  Ambassador Wood is married to Gita Gouri-Wood and they have one son, Jonathan.

Time

Reception: 6:30-7:00 pm

Dinner: 7:00-7:45 pm

Main Program: 7:45-8:30 pm

Pricing

LAWAC Premium Members: $150

Premium Members are those at the Diplomat, Envoy, Ambassador, International Circle, and Board levels.

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Contact Information

Los Angeles World Affairs Council
Name: Krista Seitz
Phone: (424) 258-6160
Email: kseitz@lawac.org
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