Daily Multilateralism
Thursday, December 3, 2020
The head of the World Food Program, David Beasley, is lobbying U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo not to designate Houthi rebels as a terrorist organization. Beasley and other aid officials fear that doing so would dramatically limit access to many parts of Yemen. Via the Washington Post:
Beasley, a former South Carolina governor, said that Pompeo voiced concern about the circumstances of ordinary Yemenis and also about the activities of the Houthis.
The U.N. official said he expressed to Pompeo the importance of securing waivers that would allow aid groups to continue their work. “I told him it’s a bad situation, and it’s getting worse,” he said.
The European Commission has published a long list of ways in which the European Union can cooperate with the Biden administration. The draft paper received media attention before publication but has now been released in full.
With a change of administration in the US, a more assertive Europe and the need to design a post-corona world, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to design a new transatlantic agenda for global cooperation – based on our common values, interests and global influence. This should be the linchpin of a new global alliance of like-minded partners.
The Commission’s to-do list includes new leadership and reforms for the World Trade Organization, reviving the multilateral nuclear deal with Iran, and cooperating on global vaccine distribution.
Jürgen Stock, the secretary general of Interpol, is warning national law enforcement agencies about possible fake coronavirus vaccines.
Criminal networks will also be targeting unsuspecting members of the public via fake websites and false cures, which could pose a significant risk to their health, even their lives.
“It is essential that law enforcement is as prepared as possible for what will be an onslaught of all types of criminal activity linked to the COVID-19 vaccine, which is why INTERPOL has issued this global warning.
The New York Times reports on the proxy battle underway at the UN’s Human Rights Council. At issue is the rotating presidency of the 47-member body. A veteran diplomat from Fiji had been set to lead the Council, until Bahrain belatedly put forward a candidate:
Geneva-based diplomats interpret opposition to Fiji’s candidacy as an effort by China, Russia and Saudi Arabia to put the council’s presidency in the hands of a compliant state as the role of the United States takes new shape under the incoming Biden administration.
Several human rights groups have weighed in to oppose Bahrain’s candidate.
Reuters reports that the UN Security Council is unlikely to address the killing of an Iranian nuclear scientist:
South Africa’s U.N. ambassador, Jerry Matjila, council president for December, said on Tuesday that no member had so far requested to discuss the killing or Iran in general. Diplomats also said there had been no discussion of a statement.
As the article notes, other UN officials have criticized the attack, including the UN human rights rapporteur tasked with examining extrajudicial killings around the world.
At a NATO ministerial meeting, Secretary of State Pompeo reportedly criticized Turkish policies, including its decision to purchase weapons from Russia and interference with alliance reforms.
A veteran ambassador to multilateral organizations, Canada’s Sergio Marchi, argues that member states need to stop picking ill-prepared politicians for top multilateral jobs:
I spent five years as ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and UN Agencies in Geneva, where I saw these different organizations up close. I would contend that in recent years, competency has given way to diplomatic rotation, regionalism and political correctness, when it comes to selecting the heads of international organizations.
Briefly noted:
The United Nations and the Ethiopian government struck a deal on humanitarian access to the embattled Tigray region.
U.S.-mediated maritime boundary talks between Israel and Lebanon are on hold.
The World Health Organization provided new guidance on face masks.
The International Monetary Fund has wrapped up its review of the Brazilian economy and finances. Meanwhile, Argentine officials are en route to Washington for talks with the IMF.