Introduction

1 The United Nations

2 Africa: The AU and sub-regional organizations

3 Asia: ASEAN and other sub-regional institutions and proposals

4 The Americas and Europe: The OAS and OSCE

5 Conclusion: Optimism about civil society, and a proposed executive preventive role for the UN Security Council

This book offers an explanation and evaluation of preventative diplomacy in an age of increasing precariousness. It emphasises the importance of pursuing diplomacy and human security in connection with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) which promote development grounded in peace, justice, and universal respect for human rights.
It explores and uncovers efforts to set up diplomatic channels designed to ensure relations between the great powers, intra- and inter-state conflict, terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, human rights, and the global watch over human security do not escalate out of control. Discussing evolving tensions between the United States and China, and the United States and Russia, this book recalls past examples of preventive diplomacy between them, and explores ideas for the exercise of preventive diplomacy in the future. Presenting evidence that contemporary preventive diplomacy is pursued not only by international or regional officials but also by nongovernmental organizations and individuals, the book emphasises the need to pursue and enhance a comprehensive effort to realize SDG16 and human security.
The book contains a range of practical recommendations to improve preventive diplomacy and provides a unique optic into understanding the threats facing the planet. It will be of interest to scholars and students of diplomacy, security studies, global governance and practitioners in government and international organisations..

Professor Bertrand G. Ramcharan, a Barrister of Lincoln's Inn, London, holds degrees in philosophy, history and law.He has been Chief Speechwriter for the UN Secretary-General, Director of the International Conference on the FormerYugoslavia, Director in the UN Political Department, Deputy and then Acting High Commissioner for HumanRights, Professor at the Geneva Graduate Institute, Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor of InternationalLaw at the University of Ottawa, Visiting Professor at Columbia University and at Lund University, Sweden.He is the author of numerous works on human rights and international law