Kai.bruns@aue.

ae

RECONCEIVING DIPLOMACY?

F R O M T E L E G R A P H T O

S M A R T P H O N E

F R O M A D H O C

M I S S I O N S T O

P A R A D I P L O M A C Y

Research Question

How is the increasing importance of non-state actors,

particularly that of cities, changing the way we think

of diplomacy?

OVERVIEW

1. Conceptualization of diplomacy/ city diplomacy

• How did diplomacy change?

• Is city diplomacy diplomacy at all?

2. Increased importance of cities

• Why are cities becoming more active in diplomacy?

• Why do states tolerate NSAs in diplomacy?

3. City diplomacy network: bilateral and multilateral

• What are the areas and forms of city diplomacy?

4. Dubai’s outreach into the world

• How does Dubai structure its city diplomacy?

MODERN EVOLUTION OF DIPLOMACY

“The police in grand costume” (Napoleon, 1805)

“The science or art of negotiation”(Martens, 1866)

“Management of international relations by negotiation, and the method these relations are adjusted by ambassadors and envoys.” (Harold Nicolson, 1939)

1961 VCDR stresses the diplomatic function

“Dialogue between states.” (Adam Watson, 1982)

17th to 19th Post 1919 Post 1945 Post 1991

Reprensentation + Interaction in international system + States & NSA

Global Governance

Para-Diplomacy

CONCEPTUALIZING DIPLOMACY

G L O B A L G O V E R N A N C E

• Global challenges

cannot be met by

states alone

• Growing # NSA

• Juxta position to

diplomacy

P A R A D I P L O M A C Y

• 1970s new federalism

• Non-central but

governmental

• 3 dimensions: • economic

• cultural cooperation

• political

Diplomacy has become more inclusive with changing

roles and legitimacy not only based on sovereignty but

also on expertise, interest and power to influence

outcomes.

INCREASED IMPORTANCE OF CITIES

„We are the level of government closest to the majority of the world‘s people. We are directly responsible for their well-being [...] So while nations talk, but too often drag their heels – cities act.“

(Michael Bloomberg at 2013 Ministers and Mayors

Roundatble)

City Millenium 2014 %

Mumbai 12mio 19mio 58.3

Shanghai 14.35mio 23.5mio 63,8

Karachi 9.4mio 23.7mio 152

Dubai 0.9mio 2.2mio 144

2009 50% of world population lives in urban settings

2050 70% of world population lives in urban settings

• Asia and Africa: India, China, Indonesia & Nigeria

• Developing world: 1mio people every 5 days move to cities

Increased importance of cities

INCREASED IMPORTANCE OF CITIES

Cities are economic hubs of national importance

750 largest cities account for 57% of global

domestic product

New Climate Economy: by 2030 500 cities = 60%

GDP growth

Increased importance of cities

Source: The Economist

INCREASED IMPORTANCE OF CITIES

Growing economic and social importance has political

implications

Jacque Chirac

Mayor of Paris 1977-95

Willi Brandt

Mayor of Berlin 1957-66

??

INCREASED IMPORTANCE OF CITIES

W H Y D O S T A T E S T O L E R A T E N O N - S T A T E A C T O R S S U C H A S

C I T I E S ?

• Globalization, regionalization and localization

• Cession of competence to cities is the cure

• Better placed to seal business deals, more efficient

• Role of MFA changes from gatekeeper to ‘boundary

spanner’

CITY DIPLOMACY NETWORK*

* Adapted from Michele Acuto

City Diplomacy

Multilateral

Regime BuildingInternational

Influence buildingHybridization of

governanceDiplomatic

EntrepreneurshipNormative Mediation

Bilateral

Twinning Agreements

MULTILATERAL CITY DIPLOMACY NETWORK

Multilateral City Diplomacy Institutions

MetropolisMayors for

Peace

United Cities and Local

Governments (UCLG)

ICLEI EurocitiesClimate

Leadership Group (C40)

League of Cities

Organization of Islamic

Capitals and Ctiies

3 THOUGHTS ON DUBAI‘S CITY DIPLOMACY

1. Dubai has 32 partner cities but no strategic approach to it nor to

multilateral participation in Metropolis, ICLEI, Mayors for

Peace…

2. Role models such as London & New York have outsourced and

strategically structured its global outreach

3. Partner cities and direct competitors such as Beirut, Istanbul or

Teheran take leadership in UCLG as Secretary-General or

President for MENA region

Twin Cities: Detroit, Geneva, Shanghai, Casablanca, Frankfurt, Guangzhou,

Osaka, Beirut, Dundee, Cold Coast, Moscow, Istanbul, Tripoli, Damascus,

Phoenix, Paris, Teheran, Tripoli, Istanbul, Baghdad, Caracas, New York,

Kuwait,…

World Cities Classification 2012

Connectivity and World Networking

Source: The World According to GaWC

DUBAI‘S CITY DIPLOMACY ACTORS

CHALLENGES TO DUBAI‘S CITY DIPLOMACY

1. No coherent policy is obstacle to governance excellence

2. Despite high ranking Dubai does not lead at city diplomacy level

3. Participation at multilateral level needs to be increased

4. Legitimate peer-representation necessary

5. Fragmantation of actorship might lead to competence overlap

CHANCES FOR DUBAI‘S CITY DIPLOMACY

1. Create a Strategic City Diplomacy Framework

2. Framework establishes performance indicators and shows how

to contribute to Dubai Plan 2021 & UAE Vision 2021

3. Define short, medium and long term goals and coordinate with

actors

4. Identify policy priorities according to urban challenges and

national interests

5. Policy framework will allow Dubai to take regional leadership in

city diplomacy

CONCLUSION

1. Conceptualization of diplomacy/ city diplomacy

• Diplomacy has become more inclusive as to NSAs

• Legitimacy: sovereignty & capability

2. Increased importance of cities

• Majority of people live in cities, ¾ by 2050

• Economic hubs producing great parts of GDP

3. City diplomacy network: bilateral and multilateral

• Cities have created a network of institutions

• C40, Mayors for Peace, UCLG, ICLEI, Eurocities

4. Dubai’s outreach into the world

• Decentralized approach with 32 partner cities

• Main actors: #Dmunicipality, #ExecutiveCouncil,

#DCCI