MULTILATERAL: Irregularities in Georgian Elections & more – 29th Oct 2024

Saluton from BA! This is the Rorshok Multilateral Update from the 29th of October twenty twenty-four. A summary of what's going down in the world's major multilateral institutions.

Starting with US politics and NATO, Senator JD Vance shared that Donald Trump would support NATO if reelected but said that allies of the United States in NATO need to contribute more to the organization. In an interview on Tuesday the 22nd, Vance stressed that European allies, especially Germany, must increase their defense spending. Trump has long advocated for a balanced financial commitment within the alliance, saying that U.S. support shouldn't be taken for granted.

Across the Atlantic, on Saturday the 26th, The EU called for an investigation into allegations of voting irregularities in Georgia's parliamentary elections, following concerns over transparency and fairness in the electoral process. However, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili dismissed these accusations, defending the integrity of the elections and accusing the opposition of attempting to discredit the government.

Georgia’s election has also been a point of note for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, or OSCE, as observers flagged problems with vote counting and limited opposition access, specifically noting cases of voter intimidation, pressure on officials, violence toward observers, people voting more than once, and ballot stuffing. They urged an investigation and recommended democratic changes to Georgia’s system of governance and elections. They also voiced concerns over recent authoritarian laws, criticized by the EU and the US, and highlighted the country’s overall polarized climate.

In other news, António Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General, faced criticism on Friday the 25th, from members of the international community for what some perceive as deference toward Russian President Vladimir Putin. They criticized him for his approach to diplomatic discussions with Russia, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine.

They have specifically said that the meeting reflects an overly accommodating stance. Videos of Guterres show him shaking hands with Putin, as well as hugging Alexander Lukashenko, the leader of Belarus, an accomplice of Putin in his war in Ukraine. Critics were unhappy that Guterres seemed welcoming to Putin, especially given the brutality of the war in Ukraine. The meeting with Putin two has sparked concerns among some international observers who argue that it undermines UN neutrality.

Speaking of the UN, on Saturday the 26th, Munir Akram, Pakistan’s Ambassador, called for a strengthened role for the International Court of Justice, or ICJ, to address global security challenges, particularly those affecting Palestine, and Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized that with increased threats to peace, the ICJ's role is critical in supporting international law.

On Sunday the 27th, Iran called on the UN Security Council to condemn Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iranian military facilities, which reportedly led to four casualties and some structural damage. Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, said that the strikes breached Iran’s sovereignty and demanded urgent UN intervention. Tehran warned that it reserves the right to respond, labeling the attacks as criminal. Israel has yet to strike Iran directly throughout the course of its recent war in Gaza, though Iran has supported some of the groups that Israel has been fighting against. Leaders in the West urged de-escalation to prevent an all out war in the Middle East following the attacks.

Still in the Middle East, echoing other organizations’ concern over Israeli action, the World Health Organization, or WHO, has labeled the situation in Gaza as catastrophic due to escalating violence and a very serious humanitarian crisis. On Sunday the 27th, the WHO highlighted that civilians are facing acute shortages of essential supplies, including water, food, and medical resources, with health services overwhelmed by casualties. The organization urged international support to address these urgent needs.

On Thursday the 24th, The International Criminal Court, or ICC, formally reported Mongolia to its oversight body following its decision not to arrest President Putin during his visit, despite an existing ICC warrant. Recall that Mongolia is an ICC member, so it is legally bound to cooperate with the court’s directives. After Putin’s visit last month to Mongolia, the country faced immediate criticism for not following the directive of the ICC.

Putin has traveled abroad since the invasion of Ukraine began and the ICC has issued a warrant for his arrest since then. Even after the ICC issued its warrant, whether countries would put their ICC obligation before their diplomatic goals was an open question.

Elsewhere in Asia, on Sunday the 27th, Turkey's ambassador to Malaysia announced plans to improve cooperation with the Association of South East Asian Nations under Malaysia's chairmanship next year. The envoy emphasized Turkey's commitment to fostering stronger ties in various sectors, including trade and technology, to address common opportunities, particularly concerning a recently strengthened free trade agreement. This initiative aligns with the nation’s broader strategy to engage more actively in the Asia-Pacific region.

Next up, the Asian Development Bank, or ADB, signed new exposure exchange agreements worth $2.5 billion US dollars with the African Development Bank and Inter-American Development Bank on Saturday the 26th. These deals aim to optimize the ADB’s lending capacity by redistributing concentrated risks, improving support for developing nations. This approach supports ADB’s strategy of efficient capital management, allowing for increased assistance to its regional members.

In Africa, The International Labor Organization and other stakeholders began a coordinated project to promote responsible business practices in Nigeria. The country has struggled in recent years to build a productive business environment: the World Bank released a statement in twenty twenty-three outlining how Nigeria had trouble bringing in private investment, both from home and abroad.

On Sunday the 27th, The United Nations highlighted the importance of ethical conduct and sustainability in corporate operations, urging Nigerian businesses to adopt frameworks that prioritize labor rights and environmental protection. This initiative aims to improve accountability and the overall business climate in the country.

On Monday the 21st, The United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, or UNAIDS, urged global support for Madagascar's HIV response as the country faces rising infection rates and limited access to treatment. Winnie Byanyima, the UNAIDS’ Executive Director, emphasized the need for international assistance to address disparities in healthcare and to strengthen testing and treatment access. Madagascar has seen a 158% increase in AIDS-related deaths since twenty ten, largely due to resource gaps and poverty.

Still in healthcare, The Pan American Health Organization or PAHO, marked thirty years of polio eradication in the Americas. Celebrations highlighted the region's successful vaccination campaigns, which have maintained polio-free status since nineteen ninety-four, protecting millions from the virus. On Friday the 25th, PAHO officials emphasized the ongoing commitment to vaccination and vigilance to prevent the disease’s resurgence

More about the Americas as on Sunday the 27th, The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, or FAO, urged the Dominican Republic to maintain its food programs despite the recent withdrawal of a proposed tax reform. Rodrigo Castañeda, an FAO representative, highlighted the importance of these programs, especially for vulnerable populations, as they have significantly reduced undernourishment rates.

And to wrap up this edition, The International Monetary Fund, or IMF, reduced its global growth forecast on Tuesday the 22nd, citing persistent inflation and geopolitical uncertainties affecting economies worldwide. The IMF now predicts slower economic expansion, highlighting challenges like rising interest rates and supply chain disruptions. It underscores the global need for balanced fiscal policies to stabilize economic conditions.

Aaand that’s it for this week! Thank you for joining us!

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See you next week!