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Promoting and Defending Multilateralism

The Promoting and Defending Multilateralism Program was created to defend and promote the values of multilateralism at a period of rising global tension and polarization. This work is guided by the belief that collaborative, multilateral approaches are essential to solving pressing global issues.

The program addresses multiple interconnected areas

1. Building the Case for Action: Advocating for multilateral solutions to global challenges
The urgency of maintaining international unity has never been clearer. Conflicts, climate change, economic crises intensified by opposing political currents—are straining the foundations of multilateral cooperation. Building the case for action and offering practical solutions is vital to re-establishing faith in multilateralism and driving necessary reforms. Addressing global financing gaps is critical to this, particularly for developing economies and in the Global South, where systemic challenges like rising debt, inequality, and the lack of effective funding mechanisms threaten long-term stability and progress. Through high-level convenings and cross-regional dialogues, this workstream supports coalitions advocating for shared global solutions. Programming focuses on aligning multilateral reforms with the realities of the current geopolitical and economic landscape, looking to find ways to bolster the system’s ability to respond to the ongoing polycrisis, financing shortfalls, and the sense of a system that does not serve all equally and fairly.
2. Strengthening collaboration between the United Nations and International Financial Institutions
The interconnectedness of global issues means that a fragmented response from the UN, International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and regional organizations such as the regional multilateral development banks can compromise finding solutions towards global challenges. This workstream aims to bridge gaps between the UN, IFIs, and regional multilateral development banks (RMDBs), by ensuring their efforts are aligned to address both the macroeconomic risks and socio-political tensions that threaten global stability, and that these institutions can leverage their comparative advantages.
3. Advancing multilateral solutions for fragility, conflict, and violence
Fragility, conflict, and violence (FCV) threaten the stability of entire regions, undermining development, peace, and security. Many countries facing FCV are also burdened with high debt, a low revenue base, and weak governance structures, making them particularly vulnerable to economic and social crises. The multilateral community must find ways to provide sustainable support to these countries and prevent further destabilization.
By focusing on advocating for progress on financing mechanisms and governance reforms, we aim to promote solutions that enable long-term peace and development in fragile settings.

Our Latest Resources

All Resources

Publication: Policy Brief July 21, 2025 Promoting and Defending Multilateralism

How the Multilateral Development Banks Complement the UN Peacebuilding Architecture in Preventing Conflict and Violence

This policy brief aims to examine how MDBs complement the peacebuilding architecture of the United Nations (UN) and what entry points exist for strengthening partnerships towards preventing violence and conflict in the context of the 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review.
Press Release June 30, 2025 Promoting and Defending Multilateralism

People-Led Global Framework Launched to Track Development Finance Commitments
Article June 12, 2025 Promoting and Defending Multilateralism

AllAfrica: Africa: Unlocking Africa's Future - The Imperative of Domestic Resource Mobilization

Betty Wainaina
Blog June 10, 2025 Building the Case for Action

What is the Sovereign Debt Challenge All About?

Betty N. Wainaina
Publication: Analysis June 5, 2025 Promoting and Defending Multilateralism

Remind Me Again Why We Put Together a Neighborhood Party? Recommitting to the Objectives of Special Drawing Rights Issuance

Explainer on what Special Drawing Rights are, and how their full potential can be unlocked in the current Global Financial Architecture landscape in light of the upcoming 4th Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4).

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Promoting and Defending Multilateralism

The program addresses multiple interconnected areas

1. Building the Case for Action: Advocating for multilateral solutions to global challenges

2. Strengthening collaboration between the United Nations and International Financial Institutions

3. Advancing multilateral solutions for fragility, conflict, and violence

Key Partners and Funders

Betty N. Wainaina

Joris de Mooij

Our Latest Resources

How the Multilateral Development Banks Complement the UN Peacebuilding Architecture in Preventing Conflict and Violence

People-Led Global Framework Launched to Track Development Finance Commitments

AllAfrica: Africa: Unlocking Africa's Future - The Imperative of Domestic Resource Mobilization

What is the Sovereign Debt Challenge All About?

Remind Me Again Why We Put Together a Neighborhood Party? Recommitting to the Objectives of Special Drawing Rights Issuance

Stay Connected