The COMPASS Initiative aims to provide timely analysis and solutions for governments and other stakeholders on multilateral approaches to pandemics. The aim is to strengthen and expand prevention and response to pandemic disease and its consequences across all sectors. Through this initiative, IPI is conducting two separate but interrelated work streams.
Preparation for a New International Instrument on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response
On March 30, 2021, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), the President of the European Council, and 23 heads of government came together in a joint call for a new international treaty on pandemic preparedness and response. And on December 1st, the World Health Assembly passed a resolution in special session to launch a process to develop a WHO convention, agreement, or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. IPI is engaging in a series of consultations to assist member states in navigating the hard questions this process will present.
In 2021, IPI produced an inventory of existing fact-finding, verification, and compliance-monitoring mechanisms in the UN system to explore possible verification mechanisms that could be included in a framework convention. In 2022, IPI consulted with several small island developing states, including the Maldives and Fiji, in order to participate in the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body process, which began in March in Geneva.
Whole-of-System Approaches to Pandemic Preparedness and Response
The second area of COMPASS activities takes a holistic perspective on multilateral capabilities for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response through dedicated analysis, convening, and strategic outreach over a period of three years (2021–2023). This includes a dedicated focus on the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. IPI’s convening and research have addressed the equitable distribution of vaccines in conflict-affected areas, health emergencies and gender, and the role of humanitarian actors in sustaining peace during a pandemic.
In the past several years, there has been a much-discussed rise in strain on multilateralism. However, there have been few efforts to quantifiably assess the state of the multilateral system. The Multilateral Index, co-developed by IPI and the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), is the first known attempt to do so. It seeks to answer questions including: What is the state of the multilateral system? What is working? What is not? And how has the multilateral system changed over time?
IPI and IEP published a pilot version of the Multilateralism Index in 2022. It examines five domains of multilateral coordination: Peace and Security, Human Rights, Environment, Public Health, and Trade. The domains are evaluated using a total of sixty-five indicators across three dimensions: Participation, Performance, and Inclusivity. Overall, the index provides a basis for tracking the transformation of the multilateral system and informing decision making on the future of multilateralism. Future iterations of the index will be published biannually with additional indicators.
In an increasingly multipolar world, characterized by geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, and other global challenges, the UN and the multilateral system must be re-energized and refreshed to find solutions to a range of issues, such as climate change and rising inequality between nations, conflict and humanitarian crises in many parts of the world, backsliding in […]
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Small states play a critical role in upholding and advancing multilateralism and international law in the face of growing geopolitical tensions and global challenges. Representing the majority of UN member states, these countries broadly agree on the need to uphold international law, support multilateral cooperation and the institutions of global order, and adhere to the […]
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The upcoming Summit of the Future is an opportunity to turbocharge efforts toward a more peaceful, secure, and sustainable world. Discussions on revitalizing the work of the General Assembly and the Security Council reform can further serve as avenues toward a more relevant, coherent, efficient, democratic, and representative United Nations.IPI, together with the Permanent Missions […]
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How have recent conflicts impacted global peace and what can the changing geopolitical landscape tell us about the likelihood of future conflict? On June 28th, IPI together with the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) cohosted a policy forum entitled “A Measure of Peace: Key Findings from the 2023 Global Peace Index,” to address these […]
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In the past several years, there has been a much-discussed rise in strain on multilateralism. However, there have been few efforts to quantifiably assess the state of the multilateral system. This Multilateralism Index (MI) report is the first known attempt to do so. It focuses on developments in the system over the past decade, providing […]
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The Honorable Kevin Rudd AC, 26th Prime Minister of Australia, President of the Asia Society Policy Institute, and Chair of IPI’s Board of Directors and H.E. Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, President of the 74th Session of the UN General AssemblyIn an IPI virtual event on April 24th, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, the President of the 74th Session of […]
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The Republic of Korea will host the next UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference in April 2021. In the context of the secretary-general’s Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) initiative, the objective of the 2021 ministerial is to strengthen UN peacekeeping, in part by improving the performance and impact of UN peacekeeping operations, closing capability gaps through concrete pledges, […]
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Since 2013, after years of near absence from the continent, a number of European countries, along with Canada, have again deployed to UN peacekeeping missions in Africa. The European presence in UN peacekeeping in Africa is now nearly at its largest since the mid-1990s. These countries provide much-needed high-end capabilities, as well as political and […]
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IPI held a policy forum on November 7th on the evolution of the strategic partnership between the United Nations and the African Union, with a specific focus on how they undertake conflict prevention and crisis management efforts. Organized with the support of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the African Union Permanent Observer Mission to […]
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From left: Lauri Mälksoo, Professor of International Law, University of Tartu, Estonia; Adam Lupel, IPI Vice President; and Kristi Raik, Director of the Foreign Policy InstituteIn October, Estonia and Finland brought IPI Vice President Adam Lupel to two separate forums to discuss the sometimes challenging but critical role small states play in policymaking and global […]
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The International Peace Institute is an independent, non-profit organization working to strengthen inclusive multilateralism for a more peaceful and sustainable planet. Through its research, convening, and strategic advising, IPI provides innovative recommendations for the United Nations System, member states, regional organizations, civil society, and the private sector. With staff from around the world and a broad range of academic fields, IPI has offices facing United Nations headquarters in New York.
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