International Cooperation on Multilateral Approaches to Pandemics, Security, and Sustainable Development (COMPASS Initiative)

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.

The Index of Multilateralism

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.