Viking Magazine - June 2020 - 46

Ambassador's Insights
Multilateral Cooperation in Times of Crisis
BY AMBASSADOR KÅRE R. AAS
t this time of great uncertainty
and global disruption, a
coordinated international
response through a functioning
multilateral system is needed more than
ever-a system where countries work
together as members of international
organizations. We are all affected by
the coronavirus, and no country can
overcome this crisis alone. The current
multilateral system, consisting of the
United Nations, World Bank and
other institutions, was developed with
American leadership and great political
courage as a response to World War II.
For Norway, cooperation under a rulesbased
international order is crucial to our
security, economy and prosperity.
International organizations establish
and implement common rules and
norms. The multilateral system serves as
a dispute settlement mechanism and as
a monitoring body, as well as a platform
for generating ideas and knowledge.
In most areas of society, one or more
international organizations fulfi ll these
important functions. Small countries, like
Norway in particular, rely on there being
a set of rules that all nations must follow.
Norway has taken a leading
international role to promote a
coordinated and effective humanitarian
response to the coronavirus pandemic
with partners such as USAID. We
continue to support efforts to improve
global health, for example through the
World Health Organization and GAVI
(the Vaccine Alliance). We must ensure
that once a vaccine is developed, it is
made globally accessible and rapidly
distributed to all, especially vulnerable
groups and low-income countries.
46 VIKING JUNE 2020
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We must also address the longterm
development consequences of
the coronavirus pandemic. Norway
initiated the establishment of a new
UN multi-donor trust fund to assist
countries in need with mitigating the
socio-economic effects of the crisis. At
the time I am writing this (early April),
the government has already pledged an
initial contribution to the fund of NOK
150 million. The fund is an example
of the fi rm belief that collective and
coordinated effort is needed to solve
humanity's common challenges. From
Norway's viewpoint, channelling
such efforts through our existing
international order is the best chance
for success.
The multilateral system that has
served Norway and the international
community for over 75 years currently
faces some major challenges, including
the fact that the global balance of power
is shifting. Multilateral cooperation
cannot work when major states choose
to solve their problems bilaterally or
unilaterally. As liberal values, standards
and rights are under pressure, the world
faces many new and urgent problems
that we must solve together, but the
multilateral system may not have
capacity to handle them.
Norway played an active role in
establishing the multilateral order in the
post-war years. The country believes
that a system that encourages dialogue
over confl ict and cooperation over
rivalry is worth guarding.
A key goal for Norwegian foreign
policy for the coming years is to support
binding international cooperation and
the multilateral system as a whole,
enabling us to strengthen our ability
to address common challenges and
safeguard national and global interests.
This is also a main driver for Norway's
candidacy for a seat on the U.N.
Security Council for 2021-2022.
As we fi nd ourselves in the biggest
crisis the world has faced since the
Second World War, I hope we fi nd
the same political courage as we did
back then. For all countries, the only
way out of this crisis is through global
cooperation. And as in the past,
Norway will consistently contribute
to that.
About the Author
Ambassador Kåre R.
Aas currently serves as
Norway's Ambassador
to the United States.
facebook.com/
NorwegianEmbassyinWashington/
@kareraas
PHOTO BY BECCA DILLEY
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Viking Magazine - June 2020

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