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International Diplomacy. International College Khon Kaen University 2011 Week 8 – Global Diplomacy. Global Diplomacy. Multilateral diplomacy has two parts: Regional diplomacy Global diplomacy We looked briefly at regional diplomacy last week
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International Diplomacy International College KhonKaen University 2011 Week 8 – Global Diplomacy
Global Diplomacy • Multilateral diplomacy has two parts: • Regional diplomacy • Global diplomacy • We looked briefly at regional diplomacy last week • This week we turn to the other rapidly expanding area of diplomacy - international cooperation and negotiation at the global level
Global Diplomacy • Global diplomacy is diplomacy conducted collectively with all other countries with a shared interest in a given subject • There are not necessarily 200 states represented at each global conference • The number and scope of multilateral conferences increased sharply in the 20th Century
Global Diplomacy • For this reason multilateral diplomacy is sometimes referred to as “new diplomacy” • Globalization (economic and non-economic) is driving the rapid growth in global diplomacy • “Global solutions for global problems” • This new diplomacy is more open to public scrutiny, to media attention and to participation by NGOs
Global Diplomacy • The main aims of global diplomacy are: • A safer world (controls on nuclear weapons, WMD, military adventurism) • Improved standards of living for all • A world with less poverty, hunger and disease • A world where all have access to justice and human rights • An environmentally sustainable world • A world where states and their leaders are accountable for their actions
Global Diplomacy – How? • Global diplomacy is all about: • inter-governmental organizations (IGOs) • conferences • international law • The largest regular global diplomatic event is the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly (192 members) • The UN has also organized a growing number of stand alone conferences, especially since the 1970s
Global Diplomacy – How? • The UN “family” includes more than 30 global IGOs: • Specialized agencies (FAO, WHO, ILO, World Bank) • Programs (UNDP, WFP, UNEP) • Funds (UNICEF, IFAD) • There are also a growing number of global IGOs which are not part of the UN system • Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) • Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) • Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
Global Diplomacy – How? • Most conferences are regular or permanent: when these have their own permanent secretariats we call them inter-governmental organizations (IGOs) • But many conferences are “one-off” or stand alone gatherings, called to address a particular problem at a particular time • The outcome of most of these conferences are international agreements or treaties which add to the body of international law
Global Diplomacy – How? • As with regional diplomacy, the purpose of most global conferences and meetings is to negotiate an agreement or treaty which all parties can sign • This agreement or treaty then becomes part of international law • IGOs also have their own teams of diplomats to organize conferences, prepare documentation and help implement and enforce agreements
Global Diplomacy – What? Negotiation • As for regional diplomacy, negotiation is the most important role for diplomats representing governments at conferences • Most countries have specialist diplomats based in permanent missions (similar to embassies) in New York and Geneva • Most of the negotiation at one-off conferences and smaller IGOs is conducted between delegations of home-based officials
Global Diplomacy – What? Communication • Almost all communication is directed towards reaching agreement on an agreed text (of a Resolution, Agreement or Treaty) • Information on each country’s position, interests and constraints is also an important part of global diplomacy • IGOs and secretariats of conferences coordinate the flow of written communications
Global Diplomacy – What? Representation • Representation is less important in all forms of multilateral diplomacy than it is in bilateral diplomacy • But prestige and reputation are more important in global diplomacy than in regional diplomacy • The increasing attendance by NGOs at global negotiations (but not regional) also makes the representation role more important
Global Diplomacy – What? Administration • The IGO’s staff or secretariat staff are responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of each conference • IGO staff are often also responsible for implementing decisions of the conference, for monitoring compliance with decisions and agreements and managing dispute resolution