Multilateral Diplomacy

Abstract

Nearly as old as state diplomacy, multilateral diplomacy today deals with the full range of international issues: war and peace, human rights, trade, the environment, etc. Strictly speaking, multilateral diplomacy involves relations between at least three states. In practice, it often brings together dozens of states (represented by their diplomats and delegations) and a growing number of non-state actors. Multilateral diplomacy was long conducted in the form of ad hoc conferences. Since the creation of the League of Nations (LN), then of the United Nations (UN), it has also frequently been conducted through international organizations. Multifaceted and ever evolving, it has often been neglected in international relations studies despite its long history and omnipresence on the international scene.