always a good idea to have multi stakeholder approach --- I would argue that it's always good to have a multi stakeholder approach in multilateral diplomacy. My experience in the nuclear, chemical and biological weapons non-proliferation and disarmament regimes (NPT, CWC, BWC, 1540) is that involving civil society, industry, parliamentarians, academia, etc. in addition to States is normally a very good idea. It brings in different perspectives, expertise that may be missing from some States, research and analysis. The list of positives goes on. I don't see why this approach shouldn't apply similarly here.

Source author: Scott Spence scott.a.spence@gmail.com