Simone Lawson
Multilateral conference diplomacy is a means for governments and other actors, such as international and non-governmental organizations, to achieve important policy objectives. It involves hosting conferences and meetings to discuss and negotiate on various topics, with the goal of reaching agreements that can create international law. These conferences are often preceded or followed by coalition diplomacy, where cabinet ministers work together to develop common policies or responses to proposals. The number of multilateral conferences has increased significantly over the past two decades, addressing social, economic, and technical issues. They are particularly relevant in conflict prevention and creating sustainable peace, as they provide a forum for all parties involved, including those driving the conflict and those impacted by it, to come together and find a resolution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of conferences | Multilateral conferences are a means to achieve important policy objectives. |
| Attendees | Attendees include diplomats, politicians, experts, heads of state, government officials, and staff of intergovernmental organizations and NGOs. |
| Conference types | Summits, coalition diplomacy, and parliamentary diplomacy. |
| Conference sponsors | International organizations like the UN, EU, and ASEAN. |
| Conference topics | Social, economic, and technical issues. |
| Conference outcomes | Agreements that create international law. |
| Conference duration | Negotiations can be protracted, lasting over a decade. |
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What You'll Learn
- Multilateral conferences as a means to achieve policy objectives
- The role of diplomats, politicians and experts
- The importance of including all relevant states and non-state actors
- The challenges of international opinion differences
- The role of international organisations in sponsoring conferences and encouraging coalition diplomacy
Multilateral conferences as a means to achieve policy objectives
Multilateral conferences have become an important means for governments, international organisations, and non-governmental organisations to achieve important policy objectives. The number of conferences and meetings has increased considerably over the past two decades, and so has the number of stakeholders involved in the conference processes. While diplomats remain central to diplomacy, government officials, staff of intergovernmental organisations, and NGOs are increasingly becoming multilateral conference delegates.
Multilateral conferences are particularly useful in conflict prevention and creating and implementing sustainable peace. To be effective, all parties must be involved in multilateral peace conferences—both those driving the conflict and those impacted by it. This includes relevant States and non-state actors. For instance, the 1973–75 Geneva Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, which led to the Helsinki Accords, had all 35 states involved participating actively under a unanimity rule.
International organisations play several roles in multilateral negotiations, including sponsoring conferences and encouraging coalition diplomacy. For example, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Arab League, and the EU attempt to create a unified policy for their members. The EU has also assumed some attributes of sovereignty and engages in third-party diplomacy to bring feuding states to agreement.
To prepare for international conferences, stakeholders can undergo rigorous training to enhance their performance as conference delegates. This contributes to the overall efficiency and productiveness of conferences.
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The role of diplomats, politicians and experts
Multilateral conference diplomacy is a means for governments, international organisations, and non-governmental organisations to achieve important policy objectives. It involves hosting conferences and meetings to discuss and negotiate international issues and conflicts. The number of such conferences has increased significantly over the past two decades, and so has the number of stakeholders involved.
Diplomats, politicians, and experts all have distinct roles to play in multilateral conference diplomacy. Diplomats remain central to diplomacy. They are responsible for representing their country's interests and negotiating with representatives from other countries. They are often the ones who undergo rigorous selection and training to become ambassadors or attachés. While they may not dominate conferences, they are crucial in coalition diplomacy, which involves the joint working out of common policies or responses to proposals. This type of diplomacy often precedes or follows summits and requires a two-step process, first arriving at a joint policy and then negotiating with the other parties.
Politicians, on the other hand, often take the lead during summits, which are the most spectacular type of conference. They play a primary role, especially when heads of state or government or foreign ministers are involved. Summits can be risky, as they raise expectations, and if not properly prepared, they can end in disastrous failure. Politicians must also be careful not to act hastily, as this can lead to bad bargains or unclear agreements.
Experts also have a crucial role in multilateral conference diplomacy, especially when the topics are highly technical. Specialists and professionals with specific knowledge are often involved in these conferences, and their input can be vital in reaching agreements that create international law.
Overall, the roles of diplomats, politicians, and experts are all essential in multilateral conference diplomacy. They work together to represent their countries' interests, negotiate agreements, and resolve international conflicts. By participating in these conferences, they contribute to the creation and implementation of sustainable peace and the modernisation of global governance.
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The importance of including all relevant states and non-state actors
Multilateral conference diplomacy has become an important means to achieve policy objectives in the 21st century. It is a tool used by governments and other actors, such as international and non-governmental organizations, to pursue their policy goals. As the number of conferences and meetings has increased, so too has the number of participants involved in these processes, including government officers, intergovernmental organizations, and NGOs.
Secondly, the involvement of all relevant states and non-state actors adds legitimacy to the outcomes of these conferences. With a diverse range of perspectives and interests represented, the decisions and agreements reached are more likely to be accepted and implemented by the wider international community. This is particularly significant when addressing complex global issues, such as international peace and security, where the challenges are multifaceted and require collective action.
Additionally, multilateral conferences provide a platform for information exchange and the development of shared understandings. By bringing together a variety of actors, these conferences facilitate the sharing of knowledge, best practices, and lessons learned. This exchange can lead to more informed decision-making and the creation of innovative solutions that consider the diverse perspectives and experiences of all participants.
Furthermore, the inclusion of all relevant states and non-state actors in multilateral conferences promotes transparency and accountability. With a broader range of participants, the discussions, negotiations, and outcomes of these conferences are more likely to be transparent and accessible to the public. This transparency can help build trust and confidence in the decisions made, as well as encourage the participation of civil society and other interested parties.
Lastly, the involvement of all relevant states and non-state actors is crucial for building and strengthening international relations. Multilateral conferences provide opportunities for states and non-state actors to engage in dialogue, build partnerships, and find common ground. This can lead to improved cooperation, not only during the conference but also in future interactions, fostering a more collaborative international environment.
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The challenges of international opinion differences
Multilateral conference diplomacy is a means for governments, international organisations, and non-governmental organisations to achieve important policy objectives. The number of conferences and meetings has risen over the past two decades, and with it, the number of stakeholders involved in the conference processes.
One of the main challenges in multilateral conference diplomacy is managing international opinion differences. As the world becomes more interconnected and issues become more complex, it is natural that there will be varying perspectives and priorities among nations.
Historically, early conferences often lacked any notion of sovereign equality, but today, there is a presumption that "general peace conferences" must include representation from all relevant states and often non-state actors as well. This evolution in conference diplomacy parallels the development of multilateralism itself.
However, sharp differences in international opinion can still lead to impasses at conferences. For example, towards the end of the 20th century, there were varying viewpoints among nations on issues such as global warming, disarmament, and the Arab-Israeli conflict, which created challenges in multilateral negotiations. At the time, European and most Asian countries favoured multilateral approaches to problem-solving, while the United States appeared increasingly reluctant to engage in such methods.
To address these challenges, international organisations play a crucial role in sponsoring conferences and encouraging coalition diplomacy. For instance, organisations like ASEAN, the Arab League, and the EU strive to create unified policies for their members. Additionally, the UN and its agencies engage in third-party diplomacy, deploying peacekeeping forces and utilising the secretary-general's office to facilitate agreements or maintain dialogue between feuding states.
Despite these efforts, managing international opinion differences remains a complex task. Summit diplomacy, in particular, can be risky, as it raises expectations. Poor preparation or haste can lead to failures, bad bargains, or unclear agreements. Therefore, thorough planning and a careful approach are essential to navigate the challenges posed by international opinion differences in multilateral conference diplomacy.
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The role of international organisations in sponsoring conferences and encouraging coalition diplomacy
International organisations play a crucial role in multilateral negotiations, including sponsoring conferences and encouraging coalition diplomacy. They provide forums for parliamentary diplomacy, oratory, propaganda, and negotiation. These organisations, such as the United Nations (UN) and its agencies, the European Union (EU), and regional organisations like ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and the Arab League, facilitate dialogue and cooperation among nations.
The UN, for example, holds regular meetings and world conferences to address global challenges and promote cooperation among member states. These conferences focus on various topics, including peace and security, human rights, development, and international law. The UN also engages in third-party diplomacy, deploying peacekeeping forces and utilising the secretary-general's office to mediate disputes between feuding states.
The EU, on the other hand, has created a "diplomatic constellation" where diplomacy from member states is complemented by EU external action. The EU has assumed some attributes of sovereignty and plays a significant role in international negotiations, particularly in economic diplomacy. The Ibero-American Regional Summit Diplomacy, for instance, fosters collaboration and partnership between participating countries in the region.
Regional organisations such as ASEAN and the Arab League also strive to create unified policies for their members. These organisations provide platforms for regular discussions and negotiations, fostering regional cooperation and coordination.
International organisations also encourage coalition diplomacy by involving various stakeholders in conference processes. While diplomats remain central, government officials from line ministries and agencies, as well as staff from intergovernmental organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), increasingly participate as multilateral conference delegates. This diverse representation enriches the discussions and contributes to more inclusive decision-making.
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Frequently asked questions
Multilateral conference diplomacy is a means for governments, international organisations, and non-governmental organisations to achieve important policy objectives.
While diplomats remain central to diplomacy, they are rarely dominant in conferences, where politicians or experts usually play the primary role.
The 1973-75 Geneva Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, which led to the Helsinki Accords, is an example of a multilateral conference. All 35 states involved participated actively under a unanimity rule.
Summit diplomacy can be risky and raise expectations. If poorly prepared, summits can be disastrous failures, leading to bad bargains or unclear agreements.
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) offers a course on multilateral conferences and diplomacy, covering topics such as negotiation, decision-making, and the formal and informal processes of conferences.
