The future of multilateralism is not what it used to be

On 6 December 2024 GCH organized its Annual Retreat. This truly multi-stakeholder meeting offered a ‘safe space’ for an open-minded discussion among cities and regions’ representatives, their networks, States and international organizations. It contributed to a mutual understanding of what multilateralism could look like in the future and how to strengthen the work of the UN and other international organizations in Geneva and beyond.

Inclusive and effective multilateralism can only be achieved with a strong international engagement and active involvement of local and regional governments (LRGs) and their networks. Their contribution moves the global discussion further and makes local implementation more successful. However, strong engagement on the side of LRGs must be met by States’ readiness to welcome them. Options varied from States promoting local action at the international level to implement the SDGs to creating a specific observer status for LRGs in international organizations.

We collectively reflected upon how to collaborate with LRGs at multilateral level in a concrete manner, following the outcomes of the Summit of the Future and looking forward to a post-Agenda2030. Participants agreed that due to high levels of polarization among States, multilateralism is weakening and cities and regions’ contributions could bring positive contribution, given their proximity to people and their pragmatic approaches. However, opening up the current institutional formats by bringing in new actors remains a sensitive topic for States. Alliances need to be built in that regard.

Topics where LRGs might have the biggest added value

As for the topics where local and regional actors might have the biggest added value, we have identified adapting to climate change, reducing pollution, strengthening inclusive policies (including vis-à-vis migrants), contributing to peace and security (through preventive diplomacy) as well as working on the social determinants of health and well-being. Several interventions emphasized the power of Voluntary Local Reviews and Voluntary Subnational Reviews in promoting sustainable local development. GCH explained that in 2025 and beyond, it will focus on the localization of Sustainable Development Goals, hand in hand with local and regional governments, as mandated by the Pact for the Future. The localization of financing for development is also indispensable to deliver tangible results on the ground.

A foresight exercise revealed that whether we reach a prosperous positive future, or a disastrous negative one depends on our capacity to rethink global governance and our determination to shape effective and inclusive multilateralism. If we manage to strengthen collaboration and enable cities and regions to act as global leaders through networks and within international organizations, the world will be a better place to live in. If global governance becomes fragmented, and non-inclusive, with cities, regions and nation states operating in isolation, we will fail to collaborate effectively on global challenges like climate change, migration, and pandemics.

As emphasized by GCH, if we can create space for cities, regions and their networks to connect with States and international organizations, we can increase the positive impact on global policy-making and sustainable development. Discussing the different channels of engagement, participants referred to processes such as the negotiations of Plastic Pollution Treaty at the UN Environment Programme and the Pandemic Treaty at the World Health Organization. The UN Forum of Mayors organized by the UN Economic Commission for Europe was mentioned as a good example of engagement by mayors in the UN, with actionable outcomes. The presence of LRGs at the High-Level Political Forum on sustainable development, the World Urban Forum and climate-related and other COPs takes a momentum we should build on. Partners also shared their experiences within other multilateral cooperation frameworks such as the G20/Urban20 or G7/Urban7.

More structured cooperation between the levels of government

Some criticism concerning the functioning and reactivity of the current multilateral institutions (mainly due to States’ polarization and stalemate) was clearly expressed. It brought us to the conclusion that in our rapidly changing and crises-prone international environment, more structured cooperation between the different levels of government would yield better results. Diminishing confidence in national political institutions requires active engagement of local leaders who enjoy more trust and might better sense and respond to people’s needs. Indeed, LRGs are more interested in tangible results and impact on the ground than in questions of institutional status. Nevertheless, they also acknowledge that the current level of international representation should be enhanced.

Capacity-building at local and regional levels is crucial. It would advance decentralized cooperation and strengthen vertical connection between LRGs and international organizations in key areas. International organizations have no standardized rules of engagement with LRGs yet. More structured information on the possible entry points for LRGs in the international system would help linking local reality with multilateralism and understanding the multitude of areas where LRGs can engage at the international level, from sustainability to digitalization, to culture and human rights. As one participant put it: we need artists to shape our common dreams.

City diplomacy is not a replacement for State-led diplomacy but a complementary force. States may leverage city diplomacy to achieve broader foreign policy objectives. Cities’ and regions’ pragmatic focus, proximity to citizens, and ability to collaborate across borders position them as vital actors in addressing transnational challenges. They have a living connection with the local businesses, NGOs and communities.

Foresight exercise action points

Building on the foresight exercise, participants formulated concrete action points which might serve as guidance for GCH’s future work, such as:

• Encouraging States to create safe spaces for dialogue with LRGs on issues that require joint efforts and where LRGs could bring channel in new ideas and innovative local solutions;
• Building more inclusive multilateral systems to better represent collective interests, relying on the principle of subsidiarity. Indeed, more inclusive and effective multilateralism is a central topic not only for cities but also for States.
• Helping LRGs understand the institutional international structure and navigate the complex multilateral processes. For that, translating the multilateral vocabulary into local language and capacity building are crucial.
• Strengthening collaboration with the private sector and the media to promote and explain the importance of public goods;
• Finding ways to ensure that the engagement of LRGs at the multilateral level is moving out of the ad hoc approach into a more consistent institutionalized one.

We appreciate the participation and contribution by our partners coming from all over the world, representing cities, regions, networks, states and international organizations. We cherish our cooperation, sharing their valuable insights, their assessment of the current situation and shaping together a vision for building a bright future.