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Tag: multilateralism

  • Staying True to Principles at a Time of Multilateral Crisis: Interview with Juan Manuel Santos

    April 16, 2025by Albert Trithart

    Juan Manuel Santos is the former president of Colombia and recipient of the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize. He now serves as chair of the Elders, a group of independent global leaders founded in 2007 to work toward peace, justice, human rights, and a sustainable planet. In this interview, President Santos shares his thoughts on the […]

    Interviewsamericas, multilateralism
  • Political Machines: The Rise of Automated Governance and the Global Challenge to Citizens’ Rights

    March 27, 2025by Eduardo Albrecht

    Governments worldwide have incorporated algorithmic decision-making into functions ranging from policing to welfare distribution, border control, and resource allocation. These political machines—AI systems used to support or automate government decision-making—are becoming central to contemporary governance while operating largely outside public scrutiny.

    This transformation represents more than a technological upgrade to government operations; it marks a fundamental shift in the relationship between citizens and the state. As political machines increasingly make or inform decisions affecting people’s lives, questions of citizen participation will become an urgent concern for multilateral organizations, civil society, and institutional stakeholders.

    Analysisai, multilateralism
  • Participation in the Multilateral System Has Held Steady over the Past Decade, but the Future Is Uncertain

    November 13, 2024by Albert Trithart and Adam Lupel

    The new 2024 Multilateralism Index uses 45 indicators to assess changes in multilateral cooperation over the past decade (2013–2023) across five domains: What does it tell us about recent trends in multilateral cooperation, and how might these trends shift under a second Trump presidency? 

    Analysismultilateralism
  • How Inclusive Is the Pact for the Future? Interview with Nudhara Yusuf

    October 1, 2024by Albert Trithart

    In this interview, Nudhara Yusuf discusses whether the Pact for the Future reflects the priorities of civil society and how to ensure the inclusion of civil society in the UN’s future work, particularly in emerging areas such as the governance of artificial intelligence.

    Interviewsmultilateralism, summit-of-the-future
  • People, the Planet, and the Pact for the Future: Interview with Youssef Mahmoud

    September 17, 2024by Jill Stoddard

    Youssef Mahmoud talks about the UN’s upcoming Summit of the Future and its Pact as it relates to people and the planet, the role of civil society, and the question of transformative action versus reform to sustain peace. Youssef also speaks to the ways the global majority is asserting its agency in the multilateral system, and the need to decolonize our thinking so as to make it work for everyone.

    Interviewsmultilateralism, united-nations
  • Why UN Financing Matters For Effective Multilateralism

    June 18, 2024by Max-Otto Baumann and Sebastian Haug

    While it may seem paradoxical for the UN to simultaneously have a record budget and face a liquidity crisis, this speaks to the long-standing complexities of UN funding dynamics. A closer look at UN financing provides insights into how UN multilateralism works, or fails to work.

    Analysismultilateralism, un-financing
  • As Kenyan Deployment Sits in Limbo, Revisiting the History of International Intervention Against Gangs in Haiti

    May 2, 2024by Lou Pingeot

    Even if the proposed intervention stops violence momentarily—and many Haitians are clamoring for any form of security—this can only be a temporary fix as long as the social contract between the Haitian state and the Haitian population remains broken.

    Analysishaiti, multilateralism, peace-operations
  • Global Order on the Line: War, Law, and Humanity at the Munich Security Conference

    March 5, 2024by Adam Lupel and Jenna Russo

    Centered on the theme of Lose-Lose?, this year’s conference focused on the vicious circle of zero-sum thinking, relative gains, and the unequal sharing of the proverbial pie. While many of the topics discussed this year were typical for the MSC, including the value of strengthened cooperation and the need to bolster international law and order, the mood was gloomier than a year ago. A consensus seemed to emerge among participants that international peace and security is likely to worsen before it gets better.

    Analysiseurope, multilateralism
  • The Role of African Multilateralism in the New Agenda for Peace

    September 13, 2023by Bitania Tadesse

    The New Agenda for Peace provides an opening for continental actors to advance priorities at the global level. However, this requires the AU to deliver on revamping its own multilateral system as a springboard to reforming global multilateralism.

    Analysisafrica, multilateralism, new-agenda-for-peace
  • “New Agenda for Peace” Outlines Reform for UN’s Fracturing Multilateral Governance

    September 6, 2023by Maya Ungar

    The New Agenda for Peace sets a clear vision for reforms, but does not go into the details on how to achieve them. This cautious approach is a reflection of the secretary-general’s belief that it is the role of the UN to support—not make—the decisions of member states. 

    Analysismultilateralism, new-agenda-for-peace, un-reform
  • Next →

This week

  • Linking Feminist Foreign Policy and the Care Economy in Latin America: Bringing the Local to the Multilateral

    May 12, 2025by Evyn Papworth

    Experts have highlighted that the Latin America and Caribbean region is unique in that several countries’ care policies are situated within their gender equality policies (encompassing a root cause approach) rather than being siloed within economic and poverty reduction policies. Recognizing…

    Analysisamericas, feminist-foreign-policy, women-peace-and-security
  • UN80 and the Reckoning Ahead: Can Structural Reform Deliver Real Change?

    May 8, 2025by Jordan Ryan

    This article looks at five priorities for UN80 reforms based on the outcomes of the 2021 UN Integration Review. The article suggests that reforms cannot be measured by departments merged or posts abolished, but by whether the UN delivers more coherent, effective, and principled support to those…

    Analysisun-reform, un80

Trending

  • Online Gender-Based Violence and a Path to Justice: Interview with Deqa Yasin

    July 8, 2024by Phoebe Donnelly and Mahathi Ayyagari

    In this interview, Deqa Yasin recounts her experiences as a Somali Minister and a survivor of online attacks, and talks about the role of the international community in combating online gender-based violence, how women in leadership roles can be supported, and what the future holds for women’s…

    Interviewssomalia, women-peace-and-security, womens-rights
  • “There is No Safe Place for Civilians in Conflict.” Q&A With Hichem Khadhraoui

    July 1, 2024by the Global Observatory

    It is an especially dangerous time for civilians in conflict. Hichem Khadhraoui, Executive Director at Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), details a frank assessment of the topic.

    Interviewsprotection-of-civilians, protection-of-civilians-at-25
  • Independent Engagement on Counterterrorism with the United Nations: Is the Risk Worth the Reward for Civil Society?

    June 24, 2024by Matt Schwartz and Franziska Praxl-Tabuchi

    Around the world, states are using UN resolutions, policy guidance, and technical assistance to justify mounting human rights violations, frequently targeting activists and civil society groups. While there is a common desire to see the UN correct its course, for many in civil society, the risks…

    Analysiscivil-society, ctat20
  • Why UN Financing Matters For Effective Multilateralism

    June 18, 2024by Max-Otto Baumann and Sebastian Haug

    While it may seem paradoxical for the UN to simultaneously have a record budget and face a liquidity crisis, this speaks to the long-standing complexities of UN funding dynamics. A closer look at UN financing provides insights into how UN multilateralism works, or fails to work.

    Analysismultilateralism, un-financing
  • Reflections on “Protection of Civilians” Week: Interview with Dirk Druet

    June 7, 2024by Dirk Druet and Jill Stoddard

    In this interview around this year’s PoC week, Dirk Druet, a researcher, policy adviser and former official in international peace and security pillar of the United Nations, and a non-resident fellow at the Brian Urquhart Center for Peace Operations at the International Peace Institute,…

    Interviewsprotection-of-civilians, protection-of-civilians-at-25
  • An Opportunity for Renewal? Lessons Learned on Women, Peace, and Security in Afghanistan  

    May 28, 2024by Farkhondeh Akbari and Jacqui True

    There is an urgent need to pursue coherent policies to support women and girls in Afghanistan through diplomacy and practical measures. However, to do this, it is important to understand how to navigate the patriarchal practices that inhibit the protection of women’s rights in Afghanistan.

    Analysisafghanistan, women-peace-and-security
  • Northwest Nigeria Has a Banditry Problem. What’s Driving It?

    May 22, 2024by Oluwole Ojewale

    Banditry now joins Nigeria’s list of problematic non-state armed groups which includes Boko Haram factions, Niger Delta militants in Nigeria’s south, and separatist groups in the country’s southeast. This article’s glimpse into the bandits’ world ties in with theoretical explanations on…

    Analysisbandits, nigeria
  • The UN’s New Agenda for Protection: Can It Make a Difference?

    May 13, 2024by Damian Lilly and Jennifer Welsh

    This is not the first time the UN has tried to reinvigorate its commitment to improve its performance in preventing and responding to protection crises. The question today is whether the current agenda can learn lessons from HRuF and make a tangible difference where previous efforts have fallen…

    Analysisprotection-of-civilians, protection-of-civilians-at-25, united-nations
  • Bridging Gaps in UN Tools that Address Conflict-Related Sexual Violence

    May 8, 2024by Jenna Russo and Lauren McGowan

    Over the past two decades, the UN Security Council and Secretariat have attempted to increase the links between the CRSV agenda and sanctions regimes. The Secretary-General has also consistently recommended increasing the links between the annual reports and sanctions. Based on our research, we…

    Analysissexual-violence
  • As Kenyan Deployment Sits in Limbo, Revisiting the History of International Intervention Against Gangs in Haiti

    May 2, 2024by Lou Pingeot

    Even if the proposed intervention stops violence momentarily—and many Haitians are clamoring for any form of security—this can only be a temporary fix as long as the social contract between the Haitian state and the Haitian population remains broken.

    Analysishaiti, multilateralism, peace-operations
  • When Protectors Become Perpetrators: The Complexity of State Destruction of Cultural Heritage

    April 24, 2024by Michaela Millender and Nicolette Lyubarsky

    While Israel wages war against Hamas in Gaza and Russia pursues its war in Ukraine, an egregious yet potentially overlooked assault may be under way in both contexts.

    Analysiscultural-heritage
  • A Review of the 68th Commission on the Status of Women: Small Wins in a Polarized Landscape

    April 19, 2024by Phoebe Donnelly and Mahathi Ayyagari

    Increasingly, CSW negotiations have come to reflect the global debate on gender rights between gender rights activists advocating for progressive gender language and right-wing coalitions pushing for conservative, anti-gender language. Despite polarized views on gender, at this year’s CSW,…

    Uncategorizedcsw, gender-rights
  • One Year Ago, War Broke Out in Sudan. What Can Be Done to Prioritize Protection of Civilians?

    April 15, 2024by Julie Gregory

    For the first time in nearly 20 years, Sudan is without a UN peace operation that enables or supports the protection of civilians, increasing the likelihood that the already severe protection gaps in country will worsen.

    Analysisprotection-of-civilians, protection-of-civilians-at-25
  • When It Comes to Responsible and Safe AI, a Global Divide Is Emerging

    April 11, 2024by Robert Muggah

    The latest global push to regulate AI comes at a time of growing concern and awareness over its potential to do harm.

    Analysisai
  • As Ethiopia Moves Forward With Its Transitional Justice Initiative, Challenges Abound

    April 2, 2024by Zekarias Beshah Abebe

    While the guns have fallen silent in Tigray after the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, escalating violence in various parts of the country—notably Amhara and Oromia—are putting into question the feasibility of the country’s new transitional justice draft policy, and the…

    Analysisethiopia, transitional-justice
  • More Than an Invitation: NGOs’ New Vision to Deepen Civil Society Engagement in UN Peacebuilding Review

    March 19, 2024by Lesley Connolly and Aaron Stanley

    The upcoming UN Peacebuilding Architecture Review provides a unique opportunity for the UN to shape the future of peacebuilding at a moment when sentiment toward multilateral institutions and the liberal framework guiding peacebuilding as a whole is changing. The way in which the review is…

    Analysiscivil-society, peacebuilding, un-reform
  • The UN Approach to Global Conflict is Flawed. Can the Human Rights Council Do More to Strengthen It?

    March 18, 2024by Erica Harper

    Whether through its investigative capabilities, its special rapporteur system, or the forum itself, the Human Rights Council could evolve to become a more central and effective actor in addressing peace and security risks.

    Analysishuman-rights-council, security-council, un-reform
  • Can the AU’s “Common African Defence and Security Policy” Provide a Pan-African Solution to the Continent’s Security Challenges?

    February 27, 2024by Bitania Tadesse

    The AU possesses several norms and policies which, if implemented, could lead to meaningful transformation in the peace and security landscape of the continent. The CADSP is one such instrument. The 20-year anniversary of the policy presents an opportunity to reaffirm the principles that are the…

    Analysisafrican-security, african-union
  • UN “Summit of the Future” Must Deliver for the Planet

    February 7, 2024by Adam Day

    It is not too late for UN member states to generate a planetary narrative and outcome for the Summit of the Future in September 2024. Here are some steps that can be taken so the Summit will resonate with the majority who see the environment as a top priority.

    Analysisclimate-change, environment, summit-of-the-future
  • Misinformation Isn’t Organized by Topic: Why Communicators on Climate Change and Health Need to Work Together

    February 5, 2024by Albert Trithart

    Considering that the climate crisis predated the COVID-19 pandemic, why has attention on climate misinformation lagged? And how can efforts to tackle climate misinformation learn from and build off of similar efforts in the field of health?

    Analysisclimate-change, misinformation, pandemics

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The Global Observatory provides timely analysis on peace and security issues by experts, journalists, and policymakers. It is published by the International Peace Institute. The views expressed here represent those of the contributors and not IPI.

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