Norway's Foreign Ministry funded a diplomatic network led by Foreign Minister Børge Brende and Terje Rød-Larsen, but lacked clarity on the actual contributions of this support.
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs allocated millions in funding to the Independent Commission on Multilateralism (ICM) and the International Peace Institute (IPI), which were led by Terje Rød-Larsen. However, internal assessments revealed uncertainty regarding the specifics of what this financial support was achieving and how the Commission was structured. Despite having notable figures involved, including former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, the Ministry was often unclear about the Commission's operations and influence in promoting multilateral diplomacy.
The ICM aimed to enhance multilateral cooperation within the United Nations, gathering diplomats and former politicians for discussions across major global cities like New York and Vienna. However, the project encountered criticism, particularly due to ties between Rød-Larsen and Jeffrey Epstein, drawing scrutiny from prominent figures like Indian politician Vijay Puri. Such connections raised questions about the integrity of the initiative and called into play the Ministry's due diligence practices in funding international projects.
While the ICM did receive funding from the Norwegian government, the project's effectiveness and acceptance in Norway itself remained questionable. Essentially, despite the significant financial backing, the anticipated outcomes and contributions of the ICM went unfulfilled, indicating a potential misalignment between government funding and diplomatic efficacy, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in international collaborations.
