Security, Trade and Environmental diplomacy and the role of multilateralism
Although the three are imminently related in this interconnected world we live in , the differences lay in the extend to which external factors such as NGO’s , non-state actors or others have the ability to influence the intergovernmental negotiations. Security diplomacy seems to always be exclusively reserved to governments, this argument although partially correct omits the fact that today’s state’s security cannot be achieved without cooperation on multiple levels including consultative one. Globalization has led to interdependence and the creation of a chain reaction where each element from politics to economy or environment is interlinked to the other. If we reformulate our question we can ask ourselves : to what extent multilateralism is present and effective in the security, trade and environmental diplomacy? It is obvious that transparency cannot be demanded when security is at stake for a simple reason, state’s vulnerability can be exposed, although cooperation is required, selectiveness of such becomes a priority. Trade diplomacy has evolved through time as well, the role regionalism plays in the elaboration of international trade regulations is another major development. States are therefore conducting negotiations on multiple levels from national to international. The presence of NGO’s, multinational companies and extra-governmental organizations in the international system have encumbered even further the ability to achieve consensus in negotiations. The environmental resurrection that the world is trying to achieve today (Saving our planet) is another wake up call to humans that only trough cooperation on multiple levels real results can be achieved. This of course is where NGO’S and other non state actors have the ability to influence outcomes considerably with their relevant expertise. Multilateralism is very much at the heart of environmental diplomacy. Although differences can be traced between security, trade and environmental diplomacy the core issue is to what extent multilateralism is involved. We also begin to see the importance the preservation of the environment is playing today and how it affects the political and economical agenda in international affairs, therefore the deepening of this interdependence will overcome furthermore the differences that exist between security ,trade and environmental diplomacy.