Center for Global Dialogue and Cooperation
An Austrian international non-governmental organization focused on dialogue, cooperation, and support for emerging countries.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The Center for Global Dialogue and Cooperation (CGDC) is an Austrian international non-governmental organization headquartered in Vienna. It presents itself as a platform for international dialogue and cooperation, with a stated mission of helping emerging countries become more efficient, capable, and stable partners in Europe and the wider international community. Its work is associated with convening political, business, and civic figures rather than with the sale of consumer products or commercial services. The organization was established by a group that included senior public figures and businesspeople from several European countries. Its founding members included Petar Stoyanov, a former president of Bulgaria; Bulgarian consultant Stamen Stantchev; Walter Schwimmer, a former Austrian conservative politician and secretary general of the Council of Europe; Werner Fasslabend, a former Austrian defence minister; and Belgian businessman Etienne Declercq. This founding group gave CGDC a distinctly transnational profile and linked it to Central and Eastern European political and business networks. CGDC's principal public-facing activities have included annual meetings, international conferences, dialogue initiatives, recognition programs, and an annual gala. The organization has brought together political leaders, business figures, and other prominent participants around themes of mutual understanding and cooperation among different countries and communities. Its 2012 gala included a speech by former United States president Bill Clinton. At the closing event of the third annual meeting, European Commission president José Manuel Barroso participated and received the organization's award for enhancing mutual understanding and dialogue among diverse people. The organization also publicized an international board of trustees whose members included figures from politics, business, finance, and entertainment. The listed board included Abdul Latif Al Meer, Sukhbaatar Batbold, Hartmut Beyer, Wesley Kanne Clark, Natalia Corrales-Díez, Mário Henrique de Almeida Santos David, Jeff Greene, Mikhail Gutseriev, Karim Farouk Jalloul, Hemant Kanoria, Thomas Peter Limberger, José María Figueres Olsen, Gerry van der Sluys, Carmine S. Villani, and Rick Yune. The available reference material does not establish which of these individuals remain involved or identify a current executive structure. CGDC also became associated with legal controversy surrounding its secretary general, Stamen Stantchev. In December 2013, a Romanian court sentenced Stantchev in absentia to 11 years in prison in a case involving allegations that an international criminal organization had been formed and that state secrets had been stolen. Two former Romanian ministers were also convicted in the same proceedings. Austrian police separately investigated alleged irregularities connected with privatization transactions in Romania's energy sector. These allegations and the resulting proceedings received attention in connection with the organization's 2013 gala, although the available material does not provide a later institutional resolution or a complete account of CGDC's subsequent operations. CGDC is therefore best understood as an international dialogue and networking organization rather than a conventional product brand. Publicly available information emphasizes its events, awards, trustees, and international relationships. The supplied sources do not provide reliable information about its budget, staff size, membership numbers, current programs, or present operational status.
History
The Center for Global Dialogue and Cooperation is an Austrian international non-governmental organization based in Vienna. Its public mission is to help emerging countries become more efficient, capable, and stable partners in Europe and internationally. Rather than operating as a commercial manufacturer or retailer, CGDC has functioned as a convening and networking institution, bringing together political leaders, businesspeople, and other influential participants through meetings, conferences, awards, and gala events. The organization was founded by a multinational group of public figures and private-sector participants. The founding members identified in reference material are Petar Stoyanov, former president of Bulgaria; Stamen Stantchev, a Bulgarian consultant; Walter Schwimmer, a former Austrian conservative politician; Werner Fasslabend, a former Austrian minister of defence; and Belgian businessman Etienne Declercq. Their backgrounds placed the center at the intersection of European politics, diplomacy, business, and regional development, particularly in relation to Central and Eastern Europe. CGDC's institutional model emphasized international dialogue and relationship-building. Its activities included an annual meeting and an annual gala, with awards intended to recognize contributions to mutual understanding among people from different backgrounds. At the closing event of the third annual meeting, José Manuel Barroso, then president of the European Commission, participated and received the center's award for enhancing mutual understanding and dialogue among diverse people. In 2012, the annual gala featured former United States president Bill Clinton as a speaker. The reference material states that Clinton received a $500,000 speaking fee for that appearance. The center also presented an international board of trustees comprising individuals from multiple countries and professional fields. The published list included politicians, financiers, business executives, and a public entertainer. Among the named trustees were former NATO commander Wesley Clark, former Costa Rican president José María Figueres Olsen, Mongolian politician Sukhbaatar Batbold, Russian businessman Mikhail Gutseriev, Indian business figure Hemant Kanoria, and actor Rick Yune, alongside other listed members. The available sources do not establish the dates of their appointments, the board's current composition, or whether the structure remains active. CGDC's public profile was affected by legal allegations involving its secretary general, Stamen Stantchev. In December 2013, a Romanian court sentenced Stantchev in absentia to 11 years in prison. The court found that the group at issue had formed an international criminal organization and had stolen state secrets; two former Romanian ministers were also convicted. The source material further states that Austrian police investigated alleged questionable privatization deals involving Romania's energy sector and that Stantchev had previously been imprisoned in 2006 in connection with similar accusations. The legal controversy became part of reporting about CGDC's 2013 gala. Clinton had again been invited but did not attend, with the reference material linking the absence to speculation concerning Stantchev's conviction. This association placed the organization's event-based diplomacy alongside questions about governance, reputational risk, and the backgrounds of individuals connected with it. The available material does not provide a definitive later outcome for the organization, a complete account of any appeals or further proceedings, or evidence sufficient to describe its current activities. As a result, the documented history of CGDC is strongest for its founding profile, stated mission, international board, high-level meetings, gala events, and the legal controversy surrounding its secretary general. Information about its present leadership, staffing, finances, membership, program portfolio, and operational status remains limited.
- 2013
Legal controversy becomes associated with the annual gala
[1]Stamen Stantchev was sentenced in absentia by a Romanian court, and reporting connected the proceedings with the circumstances surrounding the 2013 CGDC gala.
- 2012
Bill Clinton appears at the annual gala
[1]Former U.S. president Bill Clinton was invited to speak at CGDC's annual gala; the reference material reports a $500,000 speaking payment.
Organization established in Vienna
[1]CGDC was established as an Austrian international non-governmental organization by a multinational group including Petar Stoyanov, Stamen Stantchev, Walter Schwimmer, Werner Fasslabend, and Etienne Declercq.
Third annual meeting closes with Barroso participation
[1]European Commission president José Manuel Barroso attended the closing event of the third annual meeting and received CGDC's award for enhancing mutual understanding and dialogue among diverse people.
Products and positioning
An Austrian-based international platform connecting political, business, and civic stakeholders to promote dialogue, cooperation, and the integration of emerging countries into broader European and global relationships.
International dialogue event
Annual meetings
CGDC's annual meetings served as forums for international discussion involving political, business, and other public figures. The closing event of the third annual meeting included participation by European Commission president José Manuel Barroso and the presentation of a CGDC award focused on mutual understanding and dialogue among diverse people.
Fundraising and networking event
Annual gala
The annual gala was a prominent public event associated with CGDC. It was used to attract high-profile speakers and guests, including Bill Clinton in 2012. The 2013 gala received additional attention because Clinton did not attend amid speculation related to legal proceedings involving the organization's secretary general.
Recognition program
CGDC awards
The center presented awards connected with its mission of improving understanding and dialogue among diverse people. José Manuel Barroso received an award described as recognizing the enhancement of mutual understanding and dialogue among diverse communities.
International cooperation program
Dialogue and cooperation initiatives
CGDC's stated program concept is to support emerging countries in becoming more efficient, capable, and stable partners in Europe and worldwide. The available sources describe this as a broad mission rather than a detailed list of separately named projects.
Controversies
2013
Romanian conviction involving CGDC secretary general
A Romanian court sentenced CGDC secretary general Stamen Stantchev in absentia to 11 years in prison in a case involving allegations of an international criminal organization and theft of state secrets. Two former Romanian ministers were also convicted.
Investigation into Romanian energy privatization deals
Austrian police reportedly investigated alleged irregularities connected with privatization transactions in Romania's energy sector. The available material does not establish the final outcome of the investigation.
Marketing campaigns
- 20122012 Annual Gala
International · Europe
CGDC's 2012 gala featured former U.S. president Bill Clinton as a speaker, reinforcing the organization's positioning as a high-level international dialogue and networking platform.
Outcome. The event attracted a prominent international speaker; the reference material reports that Clinton received a $500,000 speaking fee.
- Third Annual Meeting
International · Europe
The third annual meeting concluded with participation by European Commission president José Manuel Barroso and presentation of CGDC's award for enhancing mutual understanding and dialogue among diverse people.
Outcome. Barroso received the organization's recognition at the closing ceremony.
Brand decisions
2013
Hold the 2013 annual gala despite leadership controversyOtherBackground
The event took place amid speculation concerning legal proceedings and a Romanian conviction involving secretary general Stamen Stantchev.
Action taken
CGDC proceeded with its annual gala, although the invited Bill Clinton did not attend.
Aftermath
The event became associated in reporting with the organization's reputational and legal controversy.
2012
Invite Bill Clinton to speak at the annual galaOtherBackground
CGDC used its annual gala as a high-profile international dialogue and networking event.
Action taken
The organization invited former U.S. president Bill Clinton to deliver a speech.
Aftermath
The reference material states that Clinton spoke and received a $500,000 fee.
Speaking fee. $500,000 (2012)
Recent events
- 2012
Bill Clinton speaks at CGDC annual gala[1]
Campaign · Other
Former United States president Bill Clinton was invited to speak at the organization's annual gala. Reference material reports that he received a $500,000 speaking fee.
José Manuel Barroso participates in CGDC annual meeting[1]
Other
The president of the European Commission took part in the closing event of CGDC's third annual meeting and received an award recognizing contributions to mutual understanding and dialogue among diverse people.
Sources2 sources
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