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On October 26th, IPI in partnership with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the UN and the Government of Finland, and in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, cohosted a policy forum entitled “Youth Leaders on Peace and Climate Action: Priorities for COP27.”

From the Fridays for Future movement to the Youth Climate Action Coalition, youth movements have played an increasingly prominent role in calling for action to address climate change. At the global level, however, there is a need for a stronger institutional link between youth’s participation in the climate movement and their role in decision-making processes. The establishment of the secretary-general’s Advisory Group on Climate Change in July 2020 is a positive effort to bridge this gap by connecting youth leaders with the highest office at the UN. Furthermore, last month’s General Assembly resolution establishing the UN Youth Office will provide an opportunity for young people to systematically engage on issues related to climate change, peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights.

In the lead-up to the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Sharm El Sheikh, this policy forum brought together youth leaders to discuss and amplify their recommendations for global climate action. Amid growing awareness that climate change is hindering sustainable development and undermining peace and security, the policy forum also focused attention on the efforts and mobilization of young people working at the nexus of sustaining peace and climate action. As such, the discussion focused on the intersection of climate action and UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on youth, peace, and security.

The panel discussion highlighted topics including the gendered impacts of climate change, the importance of accountability and action, and resourcing needs. Jayathma Wickramanayake, the UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth, called for increased political and financial commitments to support youth leadership on climate. “We can’t expect young people to solve this crisis without more resources and support.” As speakers shared their hopes and expectations for upcoming climate negotiations and the first-ever Children and Youth Pavilion, the policy forum magnified youth leadership and set the stage for COP27.

Opening Remarks:
H.E. Jongin Bae, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the UN
H.E. Erik Lundberg, Deputy Director General for Political Affairs, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Speakers:
Jayathma Wickramanayake, UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth
Omnia El Omrani, Youth Envoy for COP27
Heeta Lakhani, Founder, Climate Youth Negotiators Programme (CYNP); former YOUNGO Global Focal Point (2020–2021)
Saad Uakkas, Regional Coordinator for North Africa, African Youth Initiative for Climate Change

Moderator:
Jimena Leiva Roesch, Director of Global Initiatives and Head of Peace, Climate, and Sustainable Development, International Peace Institute

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Since 2018, the UN Department of Peace Operations’ (DPO) Division for Policy, Evaluation and Training (DPET) has been rolling out the Comprehensive Planning and Performance Assessment System (CPAS) across all UN peacekeeping operations. CPAS sets out a framework for mission officials to interrogate how their operations impact stakeholders and processes in the country and whether these impacts are helping missions achieve their mandated priorities.

This policy paper examines the rollout and implementation of CPAS to date and reviews CPAS’s impact across three core areas: data collection and analysis, impact assessment, and mission planning. It also examines six factors that affect the implementation and impact of CPAS: (1) mission-wide integration; (2) mission leadership and mission-wide ownership; (3) capacities and skill sets; (4) alignment with other peacekeeping planning tools; (5) thematic priorities; and (6) dynamics between UN headquarters and field missions.

The paper concludes with the following recommendations, which are intended to help missions, headquarters, and member states sustain CPAS into the future:

• Peacekeeping operations should include CPAS-specific information in handover notes; share the topline of CPAS frameworks and impact assessments with UN headquarters; improve the design, tracking, and communication of CPAS recommendations; provide detailed overviews of CPAS impact assessments in the secretary-general’s reports to the Security Council; broaden CPAS participation to the UN country team and other UN entities in the country or region; and incorporate local views of mission performance and impact into CPAS.
• UN headquarters should publish CPAS fact sheets on mission websites; incorporate CPAS exercises and assessments into senior leadership training exercises; expand training materials on data analysis and visualization; and align CPAS with other UN planning and reporting processes.
• Member states should provide consistent political support and attention to CPAS; increase funding for civilian planning and data-management posts; and include CPAS in peacekeeping curricula at national peacekeeping and police training centers.

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Upon the anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), the meaningful integration of gender into disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) processes stands out as an important part of the relief and recovery pillar of the agenda. However, gaps remain in implementing gender-responsive DDR.

In this context, IPI together with the Folke Bernadotte Academy cohosted a discussion on gender-responsive DDR through a WPS lens on October 21st.

This event shared research findings from a recent report, while also situating the discussion within WPS and reflecting on gendered themes within DDR, such as the meaningful incorporation of women and girls into programming and the relationship between masculinity and DDR. Panelists sought to bridge the research and policy gap by bringing together researchers, academics, and practitioners.

Speakers emphasized the importance of gender analysis and inclusion in DDR planning and implementation. “Only 38% of negotiators are women, only 6% of mediators are women, and only 6% of signatories are women. We can’t go on like this—the moment that parties come together to negotiate a political solution, women should be involved,” said Tomas Kontogeorgos, Chief of DDR Section, UN Department of Peace Operations.

Speakers:
Phoebe Donnelly, Senior Fellow and Head of Women, Peace and Security, International Peace Institute
Patty Chang, Senior Research Fellow, International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) and Adjunct Associate Professor at New York University
Kato Van Broeckhoven, Senior Project Manager, Managing Exits from Armed Conflict, Centre for Policy Research at UN University
Luca Renda, Head of Recovery Solutions and Human Mobility, Crisis Bureau, UN Development Programme
Tomas Kontogeorgos, Chief of DDR Section, UN Department of Peace Operations
German Vega Cortes, Policy Specialist, Protection, UN Women

Moderator:
Jenna Russo, Director of Research, International Peace Institute

Closing remarks: 
Frida Gabrielsson Kjäll, Senior DDR Officer, DDR Unit, Folke Bernadotte Academy

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IPI, in partnership with the French Ministry of Armed Forces and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, cohosted the 2022 Peacekeeping Observatory Annual Workshop on October 18, 2022. The half-day workshop explored the interconnected nature of climate change, peace, and security within the context of UN peace operations. The hybrid event convened over sixty-five participants, including UN personnel, member-state representatives, and independent experts from civil society organizations.

Throughout three sessions, discussions examined the substantive and operational implications of this intersection, specifically focusing on: (1) achieving sustained peace through environmental peacebuilding and climate responses; (2) integrating climate analysis into the mandated activities of UN peacekeeping operations; and (3) mitigating the environmental footprint of UN peace operations and the impact of climate change on mission operations.

The first session highlighted the importance of considering environmental issues, including climate change, in efforts to sustain peace. However, the way to integrate these considerations into multilateral and national policy agendas remains contested. Connections could be made more organically at the local level. Localized assessments of climate-related impacts were identified as pivotal to inform adequate climate responses to sustain peace, along with awareness-raising and the inclusion of local voices. It was noted that these would benefit from governmental buy-in and the support of intergovernmental initiatives, including climate financing.

The second session examined how UN peace operations could integrate climate-related considerations into their strategic planning and mandated activities. Participants discussed whether current mandates and existing UN Security Council resolutions provide sufficient entry points in this regard. They also highlighted the importance of managing expectations and emphasized the need for partnership with the UN country team. Emerging initiatives undertaken by the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) were underlined, including its participation in the Climate Security Mechanism (CSM) and the deployment of environmental and climate security advisers. These were noted as the first steps to mainstream climate and environmental considerations in missions’ work, but they still require financial and political support to develop a holistic climate-sensitive approach to peacekeeping.

The third session reviewed UN peace operations’ efforts to reduce their environmental footprint. Participants discussed the significant progress missions have made under the “greening the blue” initiative but acknowledged there is still room to increase the use of renewable energy and achieve the UN Secretariat’s 2030 emissions-reduction goals. As missions seek to ensure a “positive legacy” when they exit, participants agreed that they can play a more prominent role in providing host communities with basic and sustainable sources of energy with the support of the private sector. Finally, the impact of climate change on missions’ capacity to operate and their need to adapt was discussed.

As part of the 2022 Peacekeeping Observatory Project and in advance of the workshop, IPI published three issue briefs on topics related to UN peace operations and climate change: “The UN Environmental and Climate Adviser in Somalia,” authored by Jenna Russo, “Toward an Environmental and Climate-Sensitive Approach to Protection in UN Peacekeeping Operations,” authored by Agathe Sarfati, and “Contingent-Owned Equipment and Environmental Considerations in UN Peacekeeping Operations,” authored by Daniel Forti and Emmanuelle Cousin.

The Peacekeeping Observatory is a multiyear IPI project examining emerging issues and challenges in peace operations. It is funded by the French Ministry of Armed Forces. This year, the theme of the project is “Climate Change, Peace, and Security: What Role for UN Peace Operations?” IPI plans to focus on the topic of new technologies in peace operations for the 2023 cycle of the Peacekeeping Observatory project.

Following the opening of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly and during the high-level weeks of September 13–24, 2022, IPI hosted a total of ten events—including a two-day retreat—ranging from closed-door, high-level working dinners to public policy fora broadcast live to a global audience. IPI welcomed fourteen heads of state or government and twenty-two foreign ministers during #UNGAxIPI and reached an estimated 200,000 people worldwide through the Institute’s social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

IPI events included discussions focused on climate security, gender-responsive leadership, and the launch of the Multilateralism Index. The week concluded with the inaugural event of the Kofi Annan Lecture Series, featuring Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados.

Read more about the #UNGAxIPI 2022 Week in Review below.

UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs to Launch “Guidance on Mediation of Ceasefires” at IPI, September 14th 
DPPA’s report presents a set of tools and approaches to strengthen agreements to support a more sustainable peace process in any setting. Its goal is to provide a baseline of technical knowledge to UN and other mediators, conflict parties, and other stakeholders in contemporary mediation processes, such as representatives of states and regional organizations, national and international nongovernmental organizations, and women’s groups. Read more>> 

IPI Hosts Foreign Ministers, Officials at 17th Annual Middle East Dinner, September 18th 
In partnership with the United Arab Emirates and Luxembourg, IPI hosted the seventeenth informal ministerial-level dinner on the margins of the opening of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly. The working dinner provided for a candid exchange of views on the situation in the Middle East. Read more>> 

For Good Measure: Introducing the Multilateralism Index, September 19th
The index provides an evidence-based assessment of multilateralism by measuring changes in international cooperation over the period 2010–2020. By providing a qualitative assessment of the multilateral system, it serves as an analytic tool to inform decision-making and guide political attention. The event provided an opportunity to present the key findings of the index and discuss concrete ways to create a stronger, more nimble multilateral system to meet the challenges of today and of the coming decades. Read more>> 

Doing Aid Better: Actions to Support Local Leadership in Policy, Funding, and Practice, September 19th
This conversation explored actions the international community can take to shift policy, funding, and practice in support of local civil society efforts and to change the power dynamics to ensure a meaningful seat at the table for local actors. Read more>>

Advancing Climate Security in the Year of Implementation, September 20th
The event highlighted ways climate security interventions at the local, regional, national, and international levels can be invested in and scaled, practical solutions to advance them, and the policies needed at the global level to raise ambition. Read more>>

Achieving Sustainable Peace and Security through Gender-Responsive Leadership, September 21st
Gender-responsive leadership is essential for building gender-equal peace and security organizations. Presentations at the event focused on good practices, challenges, and opportunities around gender-responsive leadership and how leaders have incorporated this concept into their daily work to advance gender-equal peace and security. Read more>> 

Recent Developments in Europe and the Changing Dynamic with the MENA Region, September 21st
The State of Qatar, together with IPI, and in cooperation with the Wilson Center, hosted a closed-door, ministerial-level working dinner on “Recent Developments in Europe and the Changing Dynamic with the MENA Region” during the 77th session of the UN General Assembly.

Championing Our Own Solutions: AOSIS Leaders’ Breakfast, September 22nd
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda, as Chair of AOSIS (Alliance of Small Island States), convened the annual closed-door discussion for its membership on the margins of the high-level week of the opening of the UNGA at IPI.

First Kofi Annan Lecture Series Event Features Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, September 23rd
IPI in partnership with the Kofi Annan Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and International Crisis Group cohosted the inaugural event in the Kofi Annan Lecture Series featuring H.E. Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados. The series provides an opportunity for leaders to set out new ideas and agendas for international cooperation and diplomacy, recalling Secretary-General Annan’s role in championing rules-based cooperation and sustainable solutions. Read more>>

Strategic Dialogue on Adaptation and Loss and Damage: Preparing for Sharm El-Sheikh, September 23rd-24th
IPI, in partnership with The Republic of Maldives, hosted a two-day, closed-door retreat to foster a space for open and candid discussions on the negotiations of Loss and Damage and the global goal on adaptation ahead of the 27th UN Climate Change Conference—COP27 (Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC).

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Environmental degradation, including degradation caused by climate change, armed conflict, or the illegal exploitation of resources, can be a catalyst for violence against civilians. While addressing environmental degradation goes well beyond the mandates of UN peacekeeping operations, missions are increasingly focusing on climate-related security risks, and several missions have environment and climate-related language in their mandates. Overall, however, missions’ work in this area remains ad hoc.

This issue brief discusses how peacekeeping operations can better factor environmental and climate-related security risks in planning and implementing protection-related activities. It provides an overview of the impact of environmental degradation on armed conflict and the impact of armed conflict on environmental degradation. The paper then highlights current best practices for considering the environment and climate in protection-related activities in peacekeeping.

The brief concludes by suggesting that UN peacekeeping operations include environmental and climate security considerations in their assessment, planning, and implementation of mandated activities related to protection through a whole-of-mission approach and in close partnership with the UN country team and the host government. It also suggests that missions continue exploring opportunities for new approaches, including environmental peacebuilding and mediation.

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IPI together with the Republic of Maldives cohosted the launch of a policy brief on “Options for a Loss and Damage Financial Mechanism” written by Dr. Michael Franczak on October 17th.The paper is meant to provide negotiators and other stakeholders with a comprehensive and clear analysis of options for a new loss and damage financial mechanism before they meet in Sharm El Sheikh. It will enable stakeholders to identify key principles and potential areas of cooperation.

As efforts to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change continue to fall short, discussions around loss and damage (L&D) resulting from climate change have gained urgency. Loss and damage (L&D) refer to the impacts of climate change that cannot be (or have not been) avoided through mitigation or adaptation. Although no formal definition exists, a “consensus” understanding of L&D includes “climate-related impacts and risks from both sudden-onset events, such as floods and cyclones, and slower-onset processes, including droughts, sea-level rise, glacial retreat, and desertification.”

This event provided a space to explore creative financing options for loss and damage and possible ways forward at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) and beyond. Speakers addressed the specifics of a loss and damage financial mechanism, and the urgent need for improved financing. “Climate change is hitting us on multiple fronts. We need to accelerate action on loss and damage and accelerate funding,” said H.E. Aminath Shauna, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, Republic of Maldives.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of transparent and collaborative action. “I would like to see honesty, which involves acknowledgment of inaction—three decades of inaction—that puts us where we are now, especially for Small Island Developing States,” said H.E. Tina Stege, Climate Envoy, Republic of the Marshall Islands. “We need solidarity to come up with solutions in a constructive and collaborative way.” In the weeks preceding COP27, the event provided an important forum for the discussion of loss and damage, potential partnerships, and long-term solutions.

Opening remarks:
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, President and CEO, International Peace Institute

Speakers:
H.E. Aminath Shauna, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, Republic of Maldives
Michael Franczak, Adviser on Loss and Damage, International Peace Institute
Sinéad Walsh, Climate Envoy and Deputy Director General for Irish Aid and Africa, Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
H.E. Tina Stege, Climate Envoy, Republic of the Marshall Islands

Moderator:
Jimena Leiva Roesch, Director of Global Initiatives, International Peace Institute

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As efforts to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change fall short, discussions around loss and damage (L&D) resulting from climate change have gained urgency. These discussions pivot on questions around financing, which remains very limited. Going into the twenty-seventh UN Climate Change Conference (COP27), the call for a new L&D financial mechanism has been raised by developing countries.

This paper provides a brief overview of the state of play of global negotiations on L&D and explores options for funding arrangements for addressing L&D in the context of the positions of the G77 and Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). The paper considers options related to four key questions concerning a new mechanism for financing L&D:

1. Where will it be located? A new L&D financial mechanism could be located within the climate regime. However, there could also be complementary mechanisms outside the climate regime.
2. Who will pay for it? There are two broad options for funding: ask for public contributions from donors or impose new taxes. An L&D financial mechanism could adopt both approaches, though some taxes could negatively impact some of the very countries advocating for L&D.
3. Who will control it? Any mechanism should be guided by the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibility and should be new and additional; needs-based, adequate, and predictable; public and grant-based; guided by vulnerability criteria; and locally driven.
4. What will it do? The fund should make clear how L&D is both distinct from and linked to mitigation and adaptation and should take special care to address critical gaps in financing for slow-onset and noneconomic losses.

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The UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) was among the first special political missions to receive climate-related language in its mandate, reflecting Somalia’s acute vulnerability to the impact of climate change. In 2020, UNSOM also became the first mission to have an environmental and climate adviser deployed to help implement this mandate. The adviser’s work is structured around three pillars:

1. Mainstreaming the environment and climate throughout the mission’s mandated areas of work;
2. Coordinating UN agencies, government actors, and NGOs working on climate across the humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding sectors; and
3. Supporting the government in developing, funding, and coordinating its climate action plans and policies.

This issue brief reviews the role of the environmental and climate adviser in Somalia, including their areas of work, successes, challenges, and opportunities for replication in other mission settings. Strong buy-in from both mission leaders and national and regional counterparts has facilitated the adviser’s ability to help the mission implement its mandate relating to climate change, environmental degradation, and other ecological challenges. Furthermore, the adviser has successfully helped to coordinate climate-related work, incorporate strategic analyses into climate-related risk assessments and responses, and liaise with local actors. The adviser has also faced challenges, including the broad scope of work tasked to a single person and the unique set of skills required, as well as the political contention surrounding the concept of climate security.

The brief concludes by looking ahead to the growth of environmental and climate advisers in other UN missions and the importance of understanding and addressing interlinkages among climate, peace, and security as the impacts of climate change accelerate.

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Peacekeeping operations are among the largest contributors to the UN’s environmental footprint, as well as the biggest potential vectors for pollution. Without strong environmental standards, these operations risk not just damaging local environments, but also negatively impacting the health and safety of local populations and compromising the UN’s reputation and legitimacy. The UN has taken steps to improve its missions’ environmental practices, but these efforts have largely focused on the actions of the UN Secretariat and not those of member states. Less attention has been paid to the role of member states, which supply a considerable portion of the equipment used in peacekeeping operations.

This issue brief analyzes how environmental considerations have emerged in discussions about UN peacekeeping operations and the financial incentives governing contingent-owned equipment (COE). It provides an overview of UN peacekeeping missions’ environmental footprint and the policies that have emerged in response. It also examines the evolution of environmental issues in the UN General Assembly’s COE Working Group, the dynamics that affect how member states engage in these negotiations, and current best practices for improving environmental standards for COE.

The paper concludes by suggesting important points member states should consider in future discussions surrounding the COE framework:

• Member states will need to expand their focus beyond renewable energy to consider the myriad of ways in which their deployments impact the environment, including waste and pollution.
• Adjustments to the COE framework hinge on progress both by member states and by the UN Secretariat.
• Member states would benefit from a dedicated forum for sharing data and best practices on environmentally friendly equipment.
• The pace of climate change-induced environmental degradation is accelerating, with an especially profound impact on conflict-affected countries. Reducing missions’ environmental footprints is necessary not just to mitigate environmental degradation but also to improve their ability to implement their mandates.

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On September 23rd, IPI in partnership with the Kofi Annan Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and International Crisis Group cohosted the inaugural event in the Kofi Annan Lecture Series featuring H.E. Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados.

The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C., M.P., became Barbados’ eighth and first female Prime Minister on May 25, 2018. In 2022, Mia Mottley was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people. From poverty to climate change, she is internationally recognized for her leadership on pressing global issues.

At IPI, Prime Minister Mottley spoke to a combined in–person and virtual audience of over 2,000. Her speech honored Kofi Annan’s legacy and examined some of the greatest challenges facing leaders today, including the pandemic, the climate and energy crisis, and a growing deficit of trust. H.E. Mia Mottley called for social and economic inclusion, debt relief instruments, and a new “truly inclusive” international system. 

Her speech imparted the importance of Kofi Annan’s deeply held values: collective responsibility, global solidarity, rule of law, mutual accountability, and multilateralism. “The lessons from Kofi Annan’s life and work, actions, and words speak clearly to us, here and now,” she concluded. “We know what we need to do as a global community.”

The series provides an opportunity for leaders to set out new ideas and agendas for international cooperation and diplomacy, recalling Secretary-General Annan’s role in championing rules-based cooperation and sustainable solutions.

Welcome Remarks:
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, IPI President and CEO
Nane Annan, Wife of His Excellency the late Kofi Annan, Member of the Board of Directors of the Kofi Annan Foundation
Mark Malloch-Brown, President of the Open Society Foundations

Featured Speaker:
H.E. Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados

Concluding Remarks:
Comfort Ero, President of International Crisis Group
The Honorable Kevin Rudd, Former Prime Minister of Australia, Chair of the IPI Board of Directors

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IPI together with the Government of Sweden and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, in cooperation with the Folke Bernadotte Academy, cohosted the annual Women, Peace, and Leadership Symposium at IPI on September 21st. The topic of this year’s symposium centered on “Achieving Sustainable Peace and Security through Gender-Responsive Leadership.”

A gender-responsive leader proactively uses her or his leadership and management skills to promote gender equality in the workplace as well as in the organization’s operations. Gender-responsive leadership is essential for building gender-equal peace and security organizations. It also supports more successful implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security agenda.

Presentations at the event focused on good practices, challenges, and opportunities around gender-responsive leadership and how leaders have incorporated this concept into their daily work to advance gender-equal peace and security.

The discussants identified major obstacles facing the WPS agenda, including a significant lack of resources, accountability, and political will. Speakers also recognized the problematic tendency to treat WPS issues as separate from other geopolitical issues. Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Ann Linde emphasized the interconnectedness of WPS issues and other issues, including the climate, energy, and food crises, and conflict in Ukraine. “In all these situations, women and girls are among those who are affected the most,” said Linde. “This is why the Women, Peace and Security agenda is more important and more relevant than ever.”

The speakers concluded that the WPS agenda must be integrated across dimensions, prioritized in peace talks, and bolstered through accountability measures.

Speakers:
H.E. Ms. Ann Linde, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden
H.E. Ms. Yōko Kamikawa, Member of the House of Representatives of Japan; Former Minister of Justice; and Former Minister of State for Gender Equality and Social Affairs, Japan
H.E. Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, SRSG and Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia
Ms. Kaavya Asoka, Executive Director of NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security

Moderator:
Dr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, IPI President and CEO

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On September 20th, the Governments of the United States and Sweden, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), and IPI hosted a high-level panel on “Advancing Climate Security in the Year of Implementation.”

The event highlighted ways climate security interventions at the local, regional, national, and international levels can be invested in and scaled, practical solutions to advance them, and the policies needed at the global level to raise ambition.

Speakers emphasized the geopolitical connection between the climate crisis and other conflicts. “Make no mistake, resolving the climate crisis is intricately related to the making of peace… Climate change is a threat multiplier, and those threats are multiplying,” said John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate.

Other discussions focused on inclusivity in climate negotiations, building connections between local and regional actors, and the prospect of a low-carbon economy. 

Opening Remarks:
Dr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, IPI President

Speakers:

Ms. Nisreen Elsaim, Chair of UN Secretary-General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change
H.E. Ms. Ann Linde, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden
T.H. Mr. John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate
Mr. Christian Guillermet-Fernández, Vice Minister of Multilateral Affairs of Costa Rica
H.E. Ms. Aminath Shauna, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, The Republic of Maldives
Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs

Moderator:
Mr. Dan Smith, Director of SIPRI

 

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On September 19th, Peace Direct hosted a discussion at the International Peace Institute on “Doing Aid Better: Actions to Support Local Leadership in Policy, Funding, and Practice.”

The conversation explored actions the international community can take to shift policy, funding, and practice in support of local civil society efforts and to change the power dynamics to ensure a meaningful seat at the table for local actors. “If it’s about us, without us, it’s not for us,” said Elana Aquino, US Executive Director of Peace Direct, speaking to the importance of localization. 

The conversation also addressed unequal aid funding flows and potential solutions, and concluded that successful localization efforts depend on international support. Speakers agreed that in order to build a new model of locally-led inclusive development, we must “build together,” engage in an open dialogue, and continue to challenge others in the sector.  

Welcome Remarks:
Adam Lupel, IPI Vice President

Speakers:
Samantha Power, Administrator, USAID
Lysa John, Secretary General, CIVICUS
Anita Kattakuzhy, Director of Policy, NEAR
Don Gips, CEO, Skoll Foundation

Moderator:
Elana Aquino, US Executive Director, Peace Direct

Closing Remarks:
Peter Laugharn, President & CEO, Hilton Foundation

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IPI together with the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), the Permanent Missions of Denmark and Finland to the UN, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) cohosted the launch event “For Good Measure: Introducing the Multilateralism Index” on September 19th.

The index provides an evidence-based assessment of multilateralism by measuring changes in international cooperation over the period 2010–2020. By providing a qualitative assessment of the multilateral system, it serves as an analytic tool to inform decision-making and guide political attention.

While there is consensus that multilateralism is being challenged, the scope and magnitude of this crisis is unknown. Without an agreed set of metrics to track trends in multilateralism over time, we cannot have informed debates on what and where the greatest challenges lie.

The Multilateralism Index aims to fill this gap. The index measures participation, performance, and inclusivity across five key domains of multilateralism: (1) peace and security; (2) human rights; (3) environment; (4) global public health; and (5) trade.

The event provided an opportunity to present the key findings of the index and discuss concrete ways to create a stronger, more nimble multilateral system to meet the challenges of today and of the coming decades.

Welcoming Remarks:
The Honorable Kevin Rudd, Former Prime Minister of Australia, Chair of the IPI Board of Directors

Opening Remarks:
H.E. Jeppe Kofod, Foreign Minister of Denmark
H.E. Kai Sauer, Under-Secretary of State of Finland
Dr. Atsushi Sunami, President, Sasakawa Peace Foundation

Keynote Presentations:
Dr. Adam Lupel, IPI Vice President and COO
Mr. Alex Vedovi, Research Fellow, IEP

Discussants:
Dr. Comfort Ero, President, International Crisis Group
H.E. María Fernanda Espinosa, President of 73rd UN General Assembly and former Foreign Minister of Ecuador

Moderator:
Dr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, IPI President and CEO

Closing Remarks:
Dr. Michael Bröning, Executive Director, FES New York

Figure 1: Results of the Multilateralism Index (Click for full graphic)

In the past several years, there has been a much-discussed rise in strain on multilateralism. However, there have been few efforts to quantifiably assess the state of the multilateral system. This Multilateralism Index (MI) report is the first known attempt to do so. It focuses on developments in the system over the past decade, providing a snapshot of its relative strength in 2020 compared to 2010. It seeks to answer questions including: What is the state of the multilateral system? What is working? What is not? And how has the multilateral system changed over time?

The MI examines five domains of multilateral coordination: Peace and Security, Human Rights, Environment, Public Health, and Trade. Each domain is evaluated across three dimensions: Participation, Performance, and Inclusivity. Analysis of sixty-five indicators across these domains and dimensions reveals several trends in multilateral cooperation over the past decade:

• Participation scores for Human Rights, Public Health, and Trade have improved, while the scores for Peace and Security and Environment have deteriorated.
• Performance scores have deteriorated in four out of five domains.
• Inclusivity scores have improved across all five domains.

These trends shed light on the nature of the crisis of multilateralism. Rather than decreased international cooperation and widespread exit from multilateral institutions, we are seeing a battle over the nature and purpose of the multilateral system—not decay, but transformation. The MI provides a basis for tracking this transformation and informing decision making on the future of multilateralism.

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IPI and the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) cohosted the official launch of DPPA’s Guidance on Mediation of Ceasefires on September 14th.

While every ceasefire mediation is unique, DPPA’s Guidance on Mediation of Ceasefires presents a set of tools and approaches to strengthen agreements to support a more sustainable peace process in any setting. Its goal is to provide a baseline of technical knowledge to UN and other mediators, conflict parties, and other stakeholders in contemporary mediation processes, such as representatives of states and regional organizations, national and international nongovernmental organizations, and women’s groups.

Welcome Remarks:
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, IPI President and Chief Executive Officer
Asif Khan, Chief of Mediation Support Unit, UN DPPA

Speakers:
Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)
Karin Landgren, Executive Director of Security Council Report and former Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Nepal, Burundi, and Liberia
Jeffrey Mapendere, Chief Security Arrangements Advisor of Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC), South Sudan

Moderator:
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, IPI President and Chief Executive Officer

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On September 7th, IPI in partnership with the Grace Farms Foundation, UNESCO, UN Women, and United Kingdom Mission to the UN cohosted a discussion with the President of IPI, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, and British artist and activist, Hannah Rose Thomas, who has contributed to building a culture of peace and reconciliation through her innovative work within refugee communities.

The event featured works from the art exhibit “Tears of Gold,” which include portraits of Yezidi, Rohingya, and Nigerian women. The paintings are a visual testimony not only of war and injustice, but also of humanity, dignity, and resilience.

Welcome Remarks:
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, IPI President
Sharon Prince, CEO and Founder of the Grace Farms Foundation
Dame Barbara Woodward, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the UN
Eliot Minchenberg, Director of Office and UNESCO Representative to the UN in New York
Asa Regner, Deputy Executive Director of UN Women

Click each portrait to read the women’s testimonies

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IPI, in partnership with the Republic of Korea, organized a public policy forum on August 11th, bringing together youth-led organizations working on digital education in areas affected by economic and political crises in the post-pandemic era. The aim of this event was to provide an opportunity for young people to share innovative solutions for supporting the education of children and youth around the world.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the education sector and resulted in the closing of schools around the world. Access to education services was disrupted for more than 1.6 billion children and youth globally. While many countries were able to switch to online education, many developing countries, especially those experiencing multiple crises, could not provide online education due to a lack of affordable technology and resources, economic contractions, political uncertainty, and other reasons. As the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises continue to strain national budgets, there is an urgent need to ensure education remains a priority for governments.

In his report on “Our Common Agenda,” the UN Secretary-General stressed the need for young people to be better prepared for such challenges and the need to strengthen and update the education system globally. This September, the Secretary-General is organizing a summit on “Transforming Education” that seeks to mobilize commitment and action to accelerate progress on improving education for all to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This policy forum comes at a strategic point in time, one month after SDG 4 on quality education was reviewed at this year’s High-Level Political Forum, and on the eve of International Youth Day.

Opening Remarks:
H.E. Ambassador Jongin Bae, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the UN
H.E. Dr. Michal Mlynár, Permanent Representative of Slovakia to the UN and UNICEF Executive Board President, a.i.

Speakers:
Victoria Ibiwoye, Youth Engagement Lead, Education 2030, UNESCO
Pashtana Durrani, Executive Director, LEARN Afghanistan (@LearnAfg)
Nhial Deng, Refugee and Peace Activist, South Sudan
Abheejit Khandagale, Founder, Ekatra; Top Innovator, UpLink—World Economic Forum

Moderator:
Adam Lupel, IPI Vice President and COO

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On July 7th, IPI hosted a Global Leaders Series event featuring a conversation with The Honorable Kevin Rudd on his newest book The Avoidable War: The Dangers of a Catastrophic Conflict Between the U.S. and Xi Jinping’s China.

The Honorable Kevin Rudd has studied, lived in, and worked with China for more than forty years. The Avoidable War demystifies the actions of both the US and China, explaining and translating them for the benefit of the other. The conversation at IPI focused on the book’s relevance to the multilateral system.

Speaker:
Kevin Rudd, 26th Prime Minister of Australia, President of the Asia Society, and Chair of IPI’s Board of Directors

Moderator:
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, IPI President and CEO