In an era of intensifying global conflicts, the values of peace diplomacy and multilateralism are on the decline. The Post World War II international order, which was once built on cooperation, dialogue and collective response to ensure peace and harmony, is now being tested by several global challenges.
These challenges range from the conflicts between states such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and Gaza conflict to the tariff and trade wars between the major powers, which have put global peace diplomacy and multilateralism on the back burner.
Understanding Peace Diplomacy and Multilateralism
Peace diplomacy refers to the use of non-coercive methods, dialogues, and negotiations to resolve conflicts between states. This can be achieved through the use of diplomatic tools such as confidence-building measures, and mediation to achieve settlement of political and economic issues.
On the other hand, multilateralism is an international framework through which multiple countries cooperate to resolve issues of global concern, such as trade, peace and security, climate change, and human rights.
In a multilateral world order, international decisions and actions are taken collectively through consensus, rather than unilateral or bilateral decision-making. Multilateralism is not only essential for peace diplomacy but is considered the backbone of the post-World War II international system.
Active Conflicts Undermining Peace Diplomacy and Multilateralism
In the last few decades, the conflicts that have emerged tested the limits of liberal institutionalism. For instance, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which is well into its fourth year now, undermined not only peace diplomacy and multilateralism but also exposed the deep fractures within the current international system.
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) verified that since the start of conflict in February 2022 till March 2025, a total of 43,610 civilian casualties have been reported. Despite this, Russia, Ukraine and all the major powers involved including the United States and European countries have failed to achieve a full and permanent ceasefire.
United Nations Security Council (UNSC), only once, agreed on the matter concerning Russia-Ukraine war, when it adopted S/RES/2774(2025) with 10 votes and 5 abstentions. This resolution mourned the “tragic loss of life” and reiterated that “the principal purpose of the United Nations is to maintain international peace and security and peacefully settle disputes.” However, ironically, this resolution was adopted when the war was in its third year.
The US-brokered a 30-day ceasefire which was secured after months of negotiations remained unsuccessful as both Russia and Ukraine continued attacking each other’s energy infrastructure. The European countries also failed to bring an end to this ongoing conflict due to the inherent flaws in their “peace through strength’ approach. The war which has engaged the entire West, one way or the other, has encouraged scholars to examine the cause of the failure of peace diplomacy and multilateralism.
Another conflict that posed a profound challenge to peace diplomacy, deepened the geopolitical divide, and weakened the trust of nations in global institutions, is the Gaza conflict. Since October 7, 2023, the escalation of violence leading to a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza had prompted the regional and international humanitarian organizations to issue urgent ceasefire calls.
However, despite 50,000 casualties being reported by Gaza’s Ministry of Health, the global powers had failed to reach an agreement and put an end to the violence. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) also struggled to reach consensus on binding resolutions due to vetoes and abstentions, which reflected the political division among the major veto powers.
Since October 2023, the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (GCR2P) has issued multiple warnings highlighting the risk of mass atrocities in Gaza. It also issued an open letter, which was endorsed by more than 460 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) worldwide, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
Similarly, in December 2023, the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP) convened a panel discussion on “2023 War on Gaza: The Responsibility to Prevent Genocide,” which emphasized the need for immediate preventive measures against potential mass atrocities. Despite this, the United Nations has been unable to reach a consensus on evoking the “Responsibility to Protect” (R2P) in Gaza, reflecting a failure of not only peace diplomacy but also liberal institutionalism.
Tariff & Trade Wars: Another Challenge to Multilateralism
The escalation of tariff and trade wars among the major economies of the world especially the United States and China highlights the erosion of multilateralism and peace diplomacy in the current world order. The rise in tariffs, as of recent, reflects a shift from economic cooperation to protectionism. Earlier this month, the US President Donald Trump had put 145% tariffs on China, while China had also hit back with 125% tariffs on US goods.
Around 60 other countries are also at risk of facing reciprocal tariffs by the United States after the 90-day tariff pause period expires. These countries are currently in the process of negotiating with the United States to reach a consensus regarding their tariff and trade policies. However, the IMF and the Asian Development Bank have warned the countries that the trade tensions would destabilize the global economy and increase inflation.
Moreover, World Trade Organization (WTO) that regulates and facilitates international trade has been losing its influence. The United States, which was one of the largest contributors to World Trade Organization (WTO), had not only paused its funding to the organization in its efforts to cut government spending, but also blocked of appointments to the WTO Appellate Body, which resulted in further weakening of the institution’s capacity to enforce rules and facilitate negotiations between the states.
The unilateral actions taken by the major powers have put a strain on the international economic institutions and threatened the global supply chains. These developments also indicate a broader trend of declining multilateral cooperation, where major powers prioritize their national interests over the collective economic interest of the states.
Failure to Navigate Climate Change
The failure to effectively navigate climate change is a stark reminder of weak multilateralism. Despite holding international conferences such as the Conference of Parties (COP) every year and establishing frameworks like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), no significant progress has been made due to geopolitical tensions and inadequate enforcement mechanisms.
Both the developing and developed states have failed to reach an agreement regarding the issue of responsibility, financing, and implementation of policies. Major emitters prioritize their economic benefits and national interests over global commitment to reduce carbon emissions, while the states vulnerable to climate change, especially in the Global South, often struggle to find finances to deal with the challenges of climate change.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has repeatedly failed to enforce meaningful compliance as well as holding the countries accountable. This gridlock, between the major carbon emitters and the countries affected by climate change, has exposed the limitations of multilateral institutions.
Pathways to Revitalize Multilateralism, Peace Diplomacy
The first step in revitalizing peace diplomacy and multilateralism requires an unbiased and non-judgmental analysis of the challenges faced by the current world order, followed by making necessary reforms in international institutions. Some of the suggestions are as follows:
Reforming UNSC: The United Nations Security Council, which has been tasked with the responsibility of resolving conflicts between countries requires immediate reforms. These reforms include expanding the membership of UNSC to include emerging powers from the Global South and eliminating the veto power rights. The Veto power given to the five permanent members of the Council has hindered decision-making process and eliminating it would ensure equality in the Council leading to effective conflict resolution.
Strengthening Preventive Diplomacy Mechanisms: To revitalize multilateralism and peace diplomacy, it is necessary to develop effective mediation support mechanisms, early warning systems, and diplomatic rapid response teams at the international level. Increasing the authority of the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and creating similar global institutions would lead to effective conflict prevention, peacemaking, and post-conflict peacebuilding around the world.
Investing in Confidence-Building Measures: Recommitting to international treaties such as treaties on non-proliferation, arms control, and human rights would help rebuild states’ trust in the international system. To revitalize peace diplomacy and multilateralism, it is also important for countries and international organizations to invest in people-to-people diplomacy, promote education exchanges, and join peacekeeping efforts. Increasing multilateral transparency in cybersecurity and military expenditure would also help states rebuild their trust in one another and in the international system as a whole.
Foster Inclusive and Multi-Stakeholder Diplomacy: Revitalizing multilateralism also requires an inclusive approach. Engaging all stakeholders in process of diplomacy through the participation of civil society, youth, indigenous and marginalized communities, as well as women in the peace diplomacy would lead a multilateral world order that would ensure equal representation and involvement of all sectors of society in peacebuilding.
The contemporary challenges to peace diplomacy and multilateralism reflect a world that has been fractured due to active conflicts, trade wars, protectionist policies, and institutional paralysis. Yet, in this fragmentation lies an opportunity for states and global institutions to reflect on the root-causes that have been weakening the international system, introduce necessary reforms, and recommit to the values of peace diplomacy and multilateralism.
*The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of TDI.
Javaria Khalid is a writer and researcher, who specializes in Pakistan's Foreign Policy Analysis, Europe's Security, and Pakistan’s relations with the European countries and the EU. She can be reached at javariakhalid011@outlook.com
