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The 21st Century
Renaissance of

Diplomacy

UNITAR’s

bright

experience in

Interview with Mr. the face of a
Rabih El-Haddad

gloomy crisis
the Director of the Division for Multilateral

Diplomacy at the United Nations Institute for

Training and Research (UNITAR)

Unforeseen and unprecedented challenges such as natural (UNITAR), addresses the questions by sharing effective of global collaboration. On top of that, the International the national interests. In turn, diplomacy has become a crisis
disasters, terrorism, cyber warfare, and pandemics are shaping insights and UNITAR’s own experience. Monetary Fund is warning us about an imminent global management practice, mostly beneficial on the short term.
the 21 century. The transnational nature of such challenges recession. As a matter of fact, according to the International However, given the multi-layered trait of the challenges, we
st
requires cross-sectoral, multifaceted, and complex responses. Given the traditional face-to-face nature of diplomatic Labour Organization five to 25 million jobs will be eradicated will need a more concerted effort to confront them on the
Therefore, every sector, from the public to the private, is practices, is COVID-19 jeopardising the essence of diplomacy en masse, and the world could lose up to more than three long term. Therefore, diplomacy should follow the essence of
affected and required to yield tangible solutions. On April 24, at large? trillion dollars in labour income. Furthermore, the World multilateralism, which combines efforts by all States to tackle
the world celebrated the International Day of Multilateralism The current pandemic is surely affecting the art of diplomacy Trade Organization is expecting the world trade to plunge a common challenge that transcends borders. Undoubtedly,
and Diplomacy for Peace. The event epitomises an essential at its core. In other words, there is no diplomatic immunity between 13 per cent and 32 per cent this year. Overall, we need support to international organisations is the key for effective
opportunity to commend the significance and the need for to the crisis. However, it is not jeopardising its purpose. to bear in mind that the challenge is multidimensional, and multilateralism. Accordingly, member states of the European
a robust multilateral approach to tackle and overcome the We are currently seeing a reshape of diplomatic practices that diplomacy is surely changing the tools through which it Union are reinforcing their commitment in supporting the
current crisis. Moreover, as recently stated by the Secretary- on a global level. Priorities are changing week in week out. operates whilst still thriving, let alone being jeopardised. work of the World Health Organization, a pivotal machinery
General of the United Nations (UN), “with the right actions, Foreign Ministries in some of the most affected countries, in fighting the pandemic. Similarly, Saudi Arabia has pledged
the COVID-19 pandemic can mark the beginning of a new such as Italy and Spain, are managing the supplying of What path should diplomacy follow to tackle the existing USD 500 million to health organisations and programmes.
type of global and societal cooperation”. Nonetheless, many medical equipment which requires considerable cooperation and forthcoming challenges? In addition, the present and forthcoming challenges are
questions arise on how diplomacy and the UN system will among countries. Most recently the United Kingdom has Diplomacy is alive and it is shifting its paradigm. The bilateral going to have tremendous spillover effects that go beyond
practically adapt to the paradigm shift. Mr. Rabih El-Haddad, announced a £75 million plan to bring back the British work of diplomats has radically changed. They naturally one single realm. Global economy, peace, and security will
the Director of the Division for Multilateral Diplomacy citizens currently overseas. Again, that entails a high degree moved their attention onto the national level, safeguarding be dramatically impacted by both the pandemic and future
at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research

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