The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) has published a series of policy papers providing inputs to the Group of 20 (G20) process on the future of multilateralism and multilateral institutions. The policy papers cover climate finance, UN reform, healthcare and pandemic preparedness, and strengthening the multilateral trade system (MTS), and many of their proposals found “traction and resonance” in the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration.

According to IIASA Advancing Systems Analysis Program Director, Elena Rovenskaya, “IIASA conducts policy-oriented research into pressing concerns that affect the future of all of humanity, such as climate change, energy security, population aging, and sustainable development.” “By deploying systems thinking, IIASA can coordinate knowledge sharing, synthesis, and the co-development of policy recommendations, such as these policy papers,” she said.

The policy papers are the result of a consultative process involving 25 renowned experts from around the world.

According to IIASA’s 6 November 2023 news release, those key recommendations include: 

• Strengthening the role and reach of the global multilateral system while increasing the representativeness, transparency, equity, and accountability of its major institutions; 
• Strengthening the voice of developing countries in global decision making; 
• Renewing the commitment to open, inclusive, equitable, fair, transparent, and sustainability-promoting global trade with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core; 
• Scaling up a diversity of affordable financial sources to support the achievement of global developmental objectives and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; and
• Enhancing the capacity of the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to contribute to this goal.

“These key principles of global transformation are anticipated to be carried forward into the upcoming G20 Presidencies of Brazil and South Africa in 2024 and 2025 respectively,” IIASA Director General Albert van Jaarsveld emphasized. “The prospect of renewed global cooperation and improved global governance… could prove a turning point for global solidarity for a sustainable future,” he said. [Publication: Making Transformation Happen: Climate Finance] [Publication: Strengthening the UN to Confront Collective Challenges] [Publication: Effective Health Care and Global Pandemic Preparedness] [Publication: Strengthening WTO and the Global Trade System for Sustainable Development] [IIASA News Release] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on G20 Summit 2023]