in honor of gianni picco

On January 15th 2021, International Crisis Group is hosting a Zoom panel about hostage negotiation and diplomacy, in honor of Gianni Picco.

Gianni Picco came to the rescue of Foreign Correspondents abroad, and we should honor his legacy now. We encourage all FPA members to support this event.

Gianni served as Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs at the United Nations from 1973 to 1992. Gianni is best known for his skill as a hostage negotiator, particularly in the case of the Lebanese hostage crisis throughout the 1980s. Some of the accomplishments he has been credited with include playing a key role in negotiating the end of the Iran-Iraq war, helping facilitate the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, and engineering the release of 13 Jewish Iranians, accused by the Islamic Republic of spying for Israel.


A few years ago, Gianni was diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia, and all proceeds from this event will go toward providing for his care. Gianni’s legacy as a negotiator and diplomat is also an excellent framework to use for a discussion of vital import today. Now, with the world even more divided and deadly, a role like Gianni’s is more crucial than ever: someone who will talk to everyone; who is beholden to no government or political actor; but will work with any of them to create a little more peace on our troubled planet. 

Please join in honoring Gianni and discussing how such a rich legacy of peacemaking should be carried on. Again, all proceeds will go towards his care.
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We encourage all members of the Foreign Press Association to support this event.

Moderated by Christiane Amanpour, speakers include:

• Robert Malley, President and CEO of International Crisis Group,
• Terry Waite co-founder of Hostage International,
• Terry A. Anderson former bureau chief for the AP,
•  Chris Voss CEO and founder of The Black Swan Group.

All proceeds will go towards the care of Gianni Picco.

TICKETS $20