By Clara Marcelli.

“Diplomacy is the art of Peace,” declares Anne-Marie Descôtes, General Secretary of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, as she begins her conference on the evolutions and challenges of diplomacy in the 21st century. In an era marked by a resurgence of humanitarian crises in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and Congo, and the interconnectedness of our world amplifying their scope and impact, diplomacy must now reinvent itself to forge peaceful and sustainable solutions.

The theaters of confrontation are multiplying and intensifying. Propelled by the rapid evolution of technologies and the disruptive impact of AI and social media, they extend their influence beyond armed conflicts, impacting cultural and informational spheres. The framework of inter-state regulation is now being questioned and tinged with the spirit of ‘every man for himself’. Indeed, transactional actions seem to have supplanted the search for solid alliances—a principle established since WWII.

As certain institutional structures are now being accused of representing a past order no longer aligned with current demographic, geopolitical, or military realities, Anne-Marie Descôtes underscores the rise of the politics of resentment. Such a situation contributes to narrowing the traditional diplomatic space and calls for a reevaluation of the role of diplomacy and adaptation to the paradoxes of our world. Dialogue and cooperation must prevail over isolationism to collectively address the 21st-century global challenges.

Anne-Marie Descôtes presented the new strategic transformation of French diplomacy, initiated one year ago at the request of the Republic Presidency. The new vision revolves around five pillars:

• Agility in anticipating crises and perceiving threats
• Strengthening the dimension of partnership creation, with the establishment of a coherent and coordinated vision among the various ministries
• Enhancing awareness of global challenges and increased investment in climate and environmental defense
• Building a diplomacy that the French people can relate to
• Emphasizing attention to the human resources needed for France’s foreign policy

The conference thus provided a stimulating platform for reflection on the future of diplomacy, highlighting immediate challenges and opportunities for reinventing the profession to better serve the present and future aspirations of society.

Edited by Justine Peries.

References

[1] Anne-Marie Descôtes. Summary of the key points discussed during a conference at ESCP Business School, 2024

[Cover Image] Photo by Khánh Quan, licensed under Pexels.