At International Peace Institute

Independent Commission on Multilateralism


The Independent Commission on Multilateralism (ICM) was a project of the International Peace Institute (IPI). It asks: How can the UN-based multilateral system be made more “fit for purpose”? In answering that question, the ICM has analyzed sixteen topics. The goal of the ICM is to make specific recommendations on how the UN and its member states can improve responses to current challenges and opportunities.

The ICM undertook simultaneous tracks of research and consultation for each issue area on its agenda. The Commission initially launched in New York in September 2014, followed by subsequent launches in Vienna, Geneva, and Ottawa. In February 2015, the ICM briefed delegates from the five UN Regional Groups in New York. The Commission also convened meetings with Ambassadorial and Ministerial Boards in New York, Vienna, and Geneva. Global outreach included briefings to officials in Addis Ababa, Berlin, Brasilia, Copenhagen, New Delhi, London, Madrid, Montevideo, and Rome. Civil society and private sector outreach and engagement also constituted an important component of the ICM’s consultative process, including a briefing specifically for civil society in June 2015.

The research process began with a short “issue paper” highlighting core debates and questions on each topic. Each issue paper was discussed at a retreat bringing together thirty to thirty-five member state representatives, UN officials, experts, academics, and representatives from civil society and the private sector. Based on the inputs gathered at the retreats, each issue paper was then revised and expanded into a “discussion paper.” Each of these was uploaded to the ICM website for comment and feedback, revised accordingly, and presented at a public consultation. The public consultations were webcast live on the ICM’s website to allow a broader audience to take part in the discussions. A final “policy paper” was then produced for each issue area, in addition to the Chair’s “final report”.



Co-chairs



Ministerial Board



Geneva Ambassadorial Board



New York Ambassadorial Board



Vienna Ambassadorial Board



ICM Secretariat

ISSUE AREAS



The Independent Commission on Multilateralism analyzed the multilateral system through the lens of the following sixteen issue areas:

  1. New Threats, Challenges, and Opportunities for the Multilateral System (Greentree)
  2. Social Inclusion, Political Participation, and Effective Governance in Challenging Environments (Greentree)
  3. Terrorism, Including Issues Related to Ideology, Identity Politics, and Organized Crime (Asia Society NY)
  4. Fragile States and Fragile Cities (Greentree)
  5. Women, Peace, and Security (Greentree)
  6. Forced Displacement, Refugees, and Migration (Greentree)
  7. The Impact of New Technologies on Peace, Security, and Development (Greentree)
  8. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Addressing Climate Change (IPI NY)
  9. The Relationship between the UN and Regional Organizations, Civil Society, NGOs, and the Private Sector (Greentree)
  10. Justice, Human Rights, and the International Legal System (Greentree)
  11. Humanitarian Engagements (IPI NY)
  12. Weapons of Mass Destruction, Non-proliferation, and Disarmament (Graduate Institute Geneva)
  13. Global Pandemics and Global Public Health (Graduate Institute Geneva)
  14. Engaging, Supporting, and Empowering Global Youth (Harvard Club NY)
  15. Communication Strategy for the UN Multilateral System (IPI NY)
  16. Armed Conflict: Mediation, Conciliation, and Peacekeeping (Greentree)

Participation at the 16 ICM Retreats

Total participants: 342
Permanent representatives, deputy permanent representatives, and government officials: 150
Academia: 46 representatives
United Nations: 54 representatives
NGOs and research institutes: 92 representatives

Participation at the 14 ICM Public Consultations
Total participants (in person and online): 612
Member states: 141 representatives
NGOs, foundations, and civil society: 214 representatives
UN system, including the Secretariat and agencies: 171 representatives
International and multilateral organizations: 22 representatives
Media: 19 representatives
Academia: 43 representatives


Participation at the UN Regional Group Outreach Meetings

Total participants: 112
Asia-Pacific Group: 25 representatives
Latin America and Caribbean Group: 19 representatives
Eastern European Group: 20 representatives
Western European and Others Group: 22 representatives
African Group: 26 representatives


Participation at the Civil Society/NGO Outreach Meeting

50 organizations and academic institutions