MODERN diplomatic framework and multilateral efforts have incorporated both high and low politics, ranging from issues of use of force to trade to environment, human security, education, health and science.

It is apparent that the scope and scale of multilateralism established after World War II has enlarged, particularly in the context of rising environmental concerns, which continue to pose non-traditional security threats globally.

Under the elaborate architecture of environment governance, there are more than 500 multilateral agreements covering every dimension of environment. Also, the universal nature of United Nations environment assembly ensures that environmental policies concerning climate change, ozone depletion, biodiversity and ramifications of global warming on comprehensive global security strive to address emerging challenges that transcend national boundaries.

With climate change particularly, which is becoming the crisis of our time, it is imperative for a specialised group of diplomats to cater to this issue with a heavy agenda and multiple meetings and delegations. Such a setup will require strong institutional support along with novel skills and knowledge to uphold the dynamics of environmental multilateralism while securing national interests and strengthening the foundation of international environment governance at the same time.

Nonetheless, with the influence of academia, scientific institutions, activists, philanthropists and members of the civil society in the existing international environment framework, it is evident that the outreach and scope of the movement have been enriched and revolutionised.

However, a lot more needs to be done in the backdrop of emerging populist and nationalist rhetoric that have posed impediments towards the essential collective spirit of UN and multilateral world order.

In order to tackle global challenges, prudence lies in collaborative efforts and restructuring the 20th century makeup of UN to address the emerging concerns of the 21st century.

In this respect, as UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres claims, reinvigorated multilateralism is the need of the hour to tackle food insecurity, rising global inequalities, poverty, conflicts and economic meltdown.

It is undeniable that fomenting the framework of environmental multilateralism will remain an arduous task, but it can be made easier by the efforts of environment activists as they continue to educate the world about the perils of climate change and man’s relentless war with nature.

Hadia Mukhtar

Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2021