An Initiative of the Institute for Global Negotiation
Negotiation Support for a Strengthened Multilateralism
Global problems demand global solutions, and global solutions depend on effective multilateralism which is increasingly challenged in a context of rising political tensions. However, the range of tools in the negotiation tool box is often not fully mobilised to navigate power dynamics and competing interests to forge agreement.
To address this, the Institute for Global Negotiation has launched the Global Negotiation Support initiative, designed to provide expert advice to Chairs, Facilitators and negotiating bodies, particularly within the United Nations and other international organisations, specifically when they lack dedicated negotiation units.
Our advisory activities are tailored to the needs of specific multilateral processes, ranging from the negotiation of legally binding instruments to the negotiated outcomes for global Summits and Conferences.
Our Value Proposition: Expert Negotiation Advice
Our mission is to offer impartial expert advice to ensure that multilateral processes provide negotiation formats and modalities conducive to forge agreement. Our activities are meant to complement existing structures such as Secretariats, and in a way which ultimately serves all States/negotiating parties.
With modalities mutually agreed to meet evolving needs, activities can include:
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Ex-ante advice to the (co-)Chair(s)-elect/Facilitators/Bureau on the design and set-up of a specific negotiation process
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Drafting/reviewing negotiation process documents to complement or fill gaps from rules of procedures to prerogatives of a Chair/Bureau, and tailored negotiation modalities
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Leveraging, when appropriate and agreeable, the use of technologies, to identify potential stumbling blocks and paths forward
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On-site observation of negotiation processes, analysis, and alert systems to anticipate and prevent possible deadlocks
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Ad hoc support and advice to the Chair, Facilitators and negotiation bodies on options to overcome deadlocks and reach agreements
In the medium term, aware of the need to build capacities, Global Negotiation Support intends to elaborate tools such as guidance for Chairs/Facilitators, and disseminate knowledge through conferences and workshops also open to a young audience interested in developing chairing skills.
Global Negotiation Support
Global Reach and Collaborations
The Global Negotiation Support initiative is centred in Geneva, and extended to other multilateral hubs such as Nairobi, Vienna, New York, and host countries of multilateral processes.
Under this Global Negotiation Support initiative, the Institute for Global Negotiation has already engaged confidentially with Chairs/Facilitators of particularly sensitive negotiations, and advised States/negotiating bodies.
Interested in a first pro bono conversation?
For a first informal and confidential conversation free of charge to assess the potential for collaboration, please contact Dr. Jérôme Bellion-Jourdan, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Global Negotiation, leading the Global Negotiation Support initiative:
Download the Global Negotiation Support one-pager: