PURPOSE: The United Nations General Assembly estatblished 24 April as International Day for Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace to Preserve the values of multilateralism and international cooperation, which underpin the UN Charter and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, is fundamental to promote and support the three pillars of the UN - peace and security, development and human rights.

FORUM: “Reinvigorate multilateralism for a Better Tomorrow.” International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace 2024. As the world gathers to celebrate the achievements of multilateralism and diplomacy, which has its best representation in the United Nations, humanity, and particularly the peoples of the Global South, suffers from the consequences of a global crisis with multiple dimensions, including, among others, in the climate, food, energy and finance fields, which, coupled with the negative impacts of ongoing wars and protracted conflicts, such as the one in the Gaza Strip, is only keeping us off track from honoring our pledge of leaving no one behind and ensuring the attainment, by 2030, of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In many cases, the lack of progress in effectively and comprehensively redressing such challenges and threats, despite being common, although with different levels of intensity, is derived from either of the following ones, which, at its very core, has differing understanding of core values, such as international cooperation and solidarity:

• Lack of willingness to engage, compromise and/or accommodate divergent views, positions and priorities;

• Assumption of a zero-sum mentalities and departure from consensus-building approaches;

• Resort to supremacist, punitive, divisive or confrontational approaches
  and/or measures;

• Non-fulfillment of international obligations and commitments, coupled with selective approaches and/or accommodative interpretations of the provisions of the UN Charter, as part of efforts to impose a so-called “rules-based order” that, insofar as unknown and vague, may only serve agendas of a dubious nature; or

• Resort to group unilateralism, when real and genuine multilateralism – inclusive and consultative – is perceived as not necessarily serving the purpose and/or interests of certain States.

Against this backdrop, and taking into account the persistent polarization and continued geopolitical tensions in international relations, a transformation of current diplomacy seems increasingly imminent. But not just any transformation. The diplomacy of the future – which shall necessarily still be rooted in the UN Charter and the norms of international law collectively developed over the past 79 years – must also be able to support global efforts for overcoming both growing and common challenges and threats that humanity is currently facing in multiple areas, and in which the central role of States is critical.
The United Nations, an intergovernmental Organization established in 1945 from the shatters of World War II, is at the service of its Member States for reaching agreements and taking collective decisions. Its founding Charter clearly establishes that the United Nations is a “centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends”, in order to “take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace”, to “develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples”, and to “achieve international cooperation”. To this end, the United Nations must, in particular, work to solve “international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character” and develop “respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all”. Nevertheless, there is a growing tendency to resort to policies and methods that seek to suppress developing States and their needs. For instance, there is an increasing recourse to unilateralism, whether in the form of group unilateralism or unilateral, protectionist and/or isolationist measures; to attempts aimed at imposing a so-called “rules-based order” that not only remains vague, but which has never been agreed upon and has the potential to undermine both the rule of law at the international level and the very tenets of the UN Charter; and to efforts aimed at replacing, minimizing or equating the central and leading role of States, in the context of intergovernmental processes and debates, particularly at the United Nations, with that of non-State actors, especially nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), which are largely based in and financed by the developed world. With respect to the latter phenomenon, while acknowledging the contribution that relevant stake-holders may indeed have to specific processes and conversations at the United Nations, we ought to note how striking it is to see that multilateralism is being slowly – yet effectively – replaced by multi-stakeholderism; an approach that ultimately dilutes the role of States, especially those in the Global South, diminishing their voice and their chances of really making meaningful contributions and ultimately having a significant impact on critical debates and decision-making processes on issues that, no doubt, will have an incidence on the lives of their peoples and the future of their nations. Hence, as things stand, multilateralism, far from being revitalized, strengthened or reinvigorated to better respond to the challenges of the 21st century, it is being threatened by growing trends and challenges that detract from the participation of developing States and make it nearly impossible to achieve the goals we have set ourselves, particularly the realization of that other possible world of peace and prosperity a reality for all. With world leaders set to convene at the UN Summit of the Future this September to reaffirm their dedication to peace, sustainable development, and protection of human rights, the importance of multilateralism and diplomacy is more paramount than ever. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #InternationalDayforMultilateralismandDiplomacyforPeace; #24April; #MultilateralismDay; #DiplomacyDay.

EVENTS & CONFERENCES: Special event entitled ’’The challenges of multilateralism and diplomacy for the fulfillment of the promise of the UN Charter in a polarized world.” You are invited to participate to the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace 2024 commemorative event. An open debate on “Maintenance of international peace and security: effective multilateralism through the defence of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations”. The event will take place on April 24th, this year’s commemoration of the “International Day for Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace” provides States, particularly those from the Global South, an opportunity to, among others, reiterate the need to return to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, in order to consider a future of diplomacy that is viable and acceptable for all and that serves the overall purpose of realizing peace worldwide, for both present and future generations, while reaffirming our commitment to multilateralism and our pledge of ensuring that it be truly inclusive. This commemorative Special Event aims to gather, among others, the Heads of the Principal Organs of the United Nations, as well as high-level representatives from Member States and Observers to the United Nations to engage in a frank and open discussion on how to strengthen and make truly more inclusive the multilateral system, on how to ensure strict compliance and adherence to the Charter of the United Nations, in both its letter and spirit, and on how to balance the participation of relevant stakeholders in some of the intergovernmental discussions within the framework of the three pillars of the United Nations, while ensuring that the inter-governmental nature of the Organization and the leading and the central role of States is preserved. On this occasion the United Nations will launch a new report entitled “Effective Multilateralism.” that outlines an ambitious plan to strengthen the multilateral system, ensuring it is better positioned to address current and future challenges – from the climate crisis to rising inequality, lack of finance for sustainable development, and increasing threats to democracy and stability. Concept Note

UPCOMING EVENTS: From 17 to 18 June, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. The SDSN Portugal, in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), and under the auspices of the President of the Portuguese Republic, is organizing the international conference entitled “Paving the Way to the "Pact of the Future” that will take place. The hybrid conference will address selected themes from the UN Agenda in preparation for the Summit of the Future to be held in New York in September 2024. These include: (1) The challenges inherent in a sustainable future; (2) Transforming education; (3) Valuing what counts beyond GDP; and (4) Meaningful involvement of young people in decision-making processes and policy-making.

At UNHQ from 22 to 23 September 2024 will be held the Summit of the Future entitled ‘Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow.’ Register to participate online! Germany and Namibia, co-facilitators of the Summit, announce the release of the zero draft of the Pact for the Future. The ZERO DRAFT OF THE PACT FOR THE FUTURE is intended to serve as a starting point for the intergovernmental deliberations this year, with the ultimate aim of adopting an ambitious, concise, action-oriented Pact for the Future, per resolution 76/307. Read the Letters from the co-facilitators [pdf]: INVITATION TO A VIRTUAL CONSULTATION ON THE ZERO DRAFT - LETTER TO MEMBER STATES: ZERO DRAFT-LETTER TO MAJOR GROUPS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS AND CIVIL SOCIETY: ZERO DRAFT.

PODCASTS: Conflict prevention remains, however, a relatively under-publicized aspect of the UN's work. Meanwhile, the most efficient and desirable employment of diplomacy is to ease tensions before they result in conflict, or, if conflict breaks out, to act swiftly to contain it and resolve its underlying causes. Preventive diplomacy is very important in support ing United Nations efforts to assist in the peaceful settlement of disputes. Listen to the audio-podcasts!

CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: on April 24th, Make a commitment and Join the campaign to demand trusted and effective multilateral cooperation. The Commitment to multilateralism and Engagement in international peace and security during the day will be reaffirmed by most world leaders. Get the campaign materials!

Local civil society actors, including women and youth, are often primary agents of peacebuilding, playing key roles in conflict-affected societies and in situations of extreme fragility or transition. They are critical in promoting confidence and trust, encouraging cooperation, creating incentives for collective action and ensuring that efforts are adapted to local and national contexts. Their contributions range from providing basic services to enhancing cohesion and stability; from enabling communities to influence social norms to mediating relationships between the government and people through dialogue or mechanisms for state accountability. As such, community engagement with local civil society actors is a central component of peacebuilding and sustaining peace.

Get Involved!

• Summit of the Future: Learn how your organization, group or network can engage on the Summit

• Preparation for the Zero Draft: View written submissions from MGoS and civil society and other stakeholders

• Declaration on Future Generations: Find out how you can engage in the process towards the Declaration