KSR Diplomacy Diary: 13. Multilateral Diplomacy

13. Multilateral diplomacy

1. Multilateral diplomacy covers work at regional organisations and groups (ASEAN, BRICS, and G-20), at global conferences held around the world, and at the United Nations. The UN is a global, non-stop negotiating machine, through General Assembly, Security Council, and many conferences held around the year at New York. Other places, starting with Geneva, host international organisations where multilateral diplomacy is the norm. For those working there the main task is to connect with fellow diplomats, representatives of NGOs, the media, and others leading actors. Their work differs from those at embassies.

2. How does a diplomat at a New York ‘permanent mission’ function? A person attending a committee meeting for the first time should observe for a few hours the ‘dynamics’ of that committee, it’s working ethos, to identify those that really run that meeting. The aim should be to become one of the insiders in such groups. This means mastering the rules of procedure, understanding the issues, slowly gaining attention as one who adds value to that committee. Appointments, like the committee rapporteur, or a drafting group member, or joining the ‘friends of the chair’ brings visibility, and builds experience. Chairing a committee is another skill, developed through observation, taking advantage of opportunities.

3. Regional groups have their own work style. For example, at ASEAN, the golf course is where many friendships are made. Or it may be the bridge table, or some other venue, for cultivating others. Working in a small permanent mission is an advantage; small teams are agile and with a heavy work load the mission team tends to good mutual cooperation. Language skills, Swahili, Portuguese or French, build connections with the relevant countries. Professionalism is always highly valued, plus perseverance at building personal contacts. That may mean sacrificing personal time attending a succession of national day reception at the end of the day; an ambassador’s presence at such events is always appreciated by the host country.