Multilateral diplomacy
We can define multilateral diplomacy as the cooperation of three or more countries that work toward a common goal. It has developed alongside bilateral diplomacy mainly through congresses and conferences. Modern multilateral diplomacy begins with the co-founding of international organizations, especially the UN, the Council of Europa, the OSCE, and the European Union.
In the wake of current challenges and globalization, multilateral diplomacy is an indispensable form of international diplomacy. Global challenges that we are facing such as climate change, migration, sustainable development, opportunities and risks of new technologies can only be addressed through mutual cooperation.
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What is multilateral diplomacy?
A multilateral diplomacy is a diplomatic approach in which multiple countries work together to address common issues and challenges. This involves engaging in dialogue and negotiation to achieve shared goals and promote cooperation among nations. It can take many forms, such as international agreements, treaties, and conventions.
Why does multilateral diplomacy matter?
Multilateral diplomacy is essential for addressing complex global challenges that require cooperation among countries. By working together, countries can find solutions that are more effective, efficient, and sustainable than those pursued bilaterally. Multilateral diplomacy also promotes dialogue and understanding among nations, which can help to reduce tensions and prevent conflicts.
How is multilateral diplomacy conducted?
Multilateral diplomacy is typically conducted through a process of negotiation, where representatives of different countries come together to discuss and reach an agreement on a particular issue. The negotiation process typically involves several stages, including agenda-setting, information sharing, proposal-making, and consensus-building.
Throughout the negotiation process, countries may also engage in informal consultations and bilateral meetings to build relationships and seek common ground. Multilateral diplomacy can be a complex and time-consuming process, requiring skilled diplomats who can navigate different cultural and political perspectives to find common ground and reach consensus.
Where is multilateral diplomacy performed?
Multilateral diplomacy is performed in various settings, including international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the World Health Organization (WHO), among others. These organizations provide a platform for countries to come together and negotiate on various issues that affect global stability, security, and development.
Multilateral diplomacy is also performed through regional organizations such as the European Union (EU), the African Union (AU), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), among others. These organizations provide a platform for regional cooperation and integration, and their member states engage in multilateral diplomacy to address issues that are specific to their regions.
In addition to these formal settings, multilateral diplomacy is also performed through informal mechanisms such as summits, bilateral meetings, and diplomatic dialogues. These mechanisms provide opportunities for countries to engage in informal discussions and build relationships that can lead to more effective multilateral cooperation.
Overall, multilateral diplomacy is a critical component of international relations, as it enables countries to come together and negotiate on issues that affect the global community.
How is multilateral diplomacy adapting to new global challenges?
A major trend in multilateral diplomacy is the increasing importance of non-state actors, such as civil society organisations, businesses, and other stakeholders. These actors are becoming more involved in international organisations’ decision-making processes, demanding greater transparency and accountability from governments and multilateral institutions.
Another trend is the growing use of digital tools and online platforms to conduct diplomacy. This has facilitated greater collaboration and communication among diplomats and government officials but has also brought new challenges related to cybersecurity, data privacy, and online disinformation that are to be addressed in multilateral fora.
When did multilateral diplomacy develop?
Multilateral diplomacy has a long history, dating back to the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, which established the principle of state sovereignty and paved the way for modern international relations. The League of Nations, established after World War I, was an early example of a multilateral organization. Since then, multilateral diplomacy has become increasingly important as countries face growing global challenges that require collective action.
From our blog
Time to reflect: Multilateralism Day
24 April 2022
24 April is the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace. This year, as multilateralism is in a profound crisis, it is definitely not a time for celebration. But it is not a time for desperation ei...
Quo vadis, United Nations?: Is the UN system too complex for its own good and how relevant is it today?
14 January 2022
Human history, as in fact the story of life itself, is a series of false starts, missteps, and incremental improvements, punctuated with very occasional quantum leaps. In diplomacy and politics, just as in evolution, ...
Summit meetings: Their importance in diplomacy
11 January 2022
Summits between state leaders that have no tangible outcomes are frequently considered a failure and a loss of resources and time. This post will provide a brief account of the arguments for and against the importanc...
X-Ray of the 76. UN General Assembly
12 October 2021
Cybersecurity, Diplomatic reporting, Future of meetings, International organisations, Multilateral diplomacy, Remote participation, Rights of future generations
After a year of online meetings, many heads of states returned to New York for the high-level session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) session during the third week of September. Around 40% of the leaders delivered s...
Training and courses
Events
Geneva Policy Immersion of the Capacity Development Programme in Multilateral Diplomacy for Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific Islands
07 Jun 17 - 17 Jun 17
Switzerland, Africa
Remote Participation – Opportunities and Challenges for Multilateral Diplomacy
17 May 12 -
Switzerland
Training Workshop in Contemporary Multilateral Diplomacy and E-diplomacy
19 Mar 12 - 22 Mar 12
South America
Resources
2020
The future of (multilateral) diplomacy? Changes in response to COVID-19 and beyond
The year 2020 marked the 75th anniversary of the United Nations (UN). It is also the year that the world was faced with responding to the emergence of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, an unprecedented global challenge that has left no area of society and no individual ... Read more...
2020
The ‘Working’ Non-Aligned Movement: Between Belgrade, Cairo, and Baku – The NAM’s Leadership Visibility
The objective of this chapter is to highlight lessons learned, promote best practices, and carry takeaways that are useful for other levels of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), or even other forums. ... Read more...
2018
Searching for Meaningful Human Control. The April 2018 Meeting on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (Briefing Paper #10)
In this briefing paper, Ms Barbara Rosen Jacobson analyses the debate of the April 2018 meeting of the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW). The group was established to discuss emerging technologies in the area of... Read more...
2018
Digital Diplomacy as a foreign policy statecraft to achieving regional cooperation and integration in the Polynesian Leaders Group
Established in 2011, the Polynesian Leaders Groups serves to fulfill a vision of cooperation, strengthening integration on issues pertinent to the region and to the future of the PLG. Its nine – American Samoa, French Polynesia, Niue, Cook Islands, Tokelau, Tuvalu, T... Read more...
2018
European Union external action structure: Beyond state and intergovernmental organisations diplomacy
This dissertation analyses the organisation of the external action structures of the European Union. As an international actor which is beyond a state, but also different to traditional international organisations, the EU has created a “diplomatic constellation” ... Read more...
2017
Towards a secure cyberspace via regional co-operation
The study Towards a secure cyberspace via regional co-operation provides an overview of the international dialogue on establishing norms of state behaviour and confidence-building measures in cyberspace. ... Read more...
Histories
The telegraph: How it changed diplomacy
The period between the end of Renaissance diplomacy (early 16th century) and the start of the golden age of diplomacy and technology (early 18th century) was shaped by the Reformation and religious wars. Central Europe came out divided, while around it, new, more centr... Read more...