国际战略研究中心-美国在多边发展机构领导地位的未来：未来10年的行动手册（英）-2021.9-75页_14mb

Summary of "The Future of U.S. Leadership in Multilateral Development Institutions"

Core Content

This report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Project on Prosperity and Development examines the waning U.S. influence in multilateral development institutions (MDIs) and outlines a strategic framework for restoring it over the next decade. The focus is on the United States' role in shaping the global order through its engagement with MDIs, emphasizing the importance of leadership and staffing in maintaining U.S. influence and upholding liberal values.

Main Viewpoints

• U.S. Leadership in MDIs is in Decline: Over the past 30 years, the U.S. has lost ground in leadership positions and staffing within multilateral institutions, particularly in comparison to rising powers like China.
• China's Strategic Engagement: China has significantly increased its presence in MDIs through strategic placement of personnel and by aligning these institutions with its global infrastructure development strategy, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• Multilateral Institutions as Soft Power Tools: MDIs such as the UN, World Bank, and WTO play a crucial role in global governance, offering the U.S. a platform to influence international norms and policies.
• Public Support for Multilateralism: Despite criticisms, the U.S. public remains largely supportive of multilateral institutions, particularly the United Nations, indicating a potential opportunity for renewed engagement.
• Need for Strategic Reengagement: The U.S. must adopt a long-term, coordinated strategy to reassert its influence, including enhancing leadership and staffing, building alliances, and aligning multilateral efforts with national security and foreign policy objectives.

Key Information

The Multilateral System

The report defines multilateral institutions broadly, including:

• International Financial Institutions (IFIs): e.g., IMF, World Bank, Regional Development Banks (RDBs)
• Standard-Setting Bodies: e.g., OECD, WTO, WIPO, ILO
• UN System Departments and Agencies: e.g., UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF

These institutions provide foreign aid, technical advice, and financial support to developing countries and are critical for addressing global challenges like climate change, pandemics, and forced migration.

U.S. Influence Trends

• The U.S. has been the largest financial supporter of international organizations, contributing nearly 30% of its foreign aid budget to MDIs in 2019.
• However, its ability to compete in leadership races and place qualified candidates in top roles has diminished.
• The U.S. is underrepresented in staffing at many MDIs, including the UN, despite being the largest funder.

China's Impact

• China has gained significant influence in MDIs, including leadership roles in three of the 15 UN specialized agencies.
• It has also strategically placed young talent in these institutions and has secured influence through MOUs with the BRI.
• This trend raises concerns that MDIs may increasingly align with authoritarian norms and policies.

Recommendations

1. Establish a Multilateral Policy Council: Within the National Security Council (NSC), this council would coordinate a whole-of-government strategy for multilateral engagement, ensuring alignment with national security and foreign policy objectives.
2. Conduct a Multilateral Aid Review (MAR): A comprehensive assessment of U.S. engagement with MDIs to align with the National Security Strategy (NSS) and identify gaps in multilateral efforts.
3. Create a Whole-of-Government Implementation Plan: This would harmonize U.S. engagement across agencies, focusing on tracking aid, filling leadership roles, and improving interagency communication.
4. Build Coalitions with Allies and Partners: The U.S. should work closely with allies such as Japan, India, and Australia ("the Quad") and the G7 to develop a coordinated JPO program and enhance collective influence.
5. Enhance U.S. Representation: Encourage qualified and diverse U.S. personnel to pursue careers in MDIs, including through secondment programs and investments in internships and fellowships.

Conclusion

The report argues that the U.S. has a unique opportunity to reassert its leadership in MDIs, not only to counter the rise of authoritarian influence but also to advance its own and global interests. It emphasizes the need for political will, strategic planning, and coordinated efforts across the U.S. government to ensure that multilateral institutions continue to reflect liberal values and support U.S. national security and foreign policy goals.

Appendix Highlights

• Methodology: The report analyzed over 200 multilateral institutions, focusing on their roles in development and global governance.
• Data: Includes statistics on U.S. and Chinese staffing and leadership trends, as well as public opinion data from Pew and Gallup polls.

About the Authors

• Daniel F. Runde: Project Director
• Romina Bandura, Kristen Cordell, Shannon McKeown: Authors of the report

This study serves as a strategic guide for U.S. administrations to enhance their multilateral engagement and leadership in the coming decade.