This research paper (UN ref. ECE/HBP/2025/Inf.4) was commissioned by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Geneva and undertaken by a group of academic thought leaders from the Geneva UN Charter Centres of Excellence at the City Diplomacy Lab (France), the Cattaneo University LIUC (Italy); the University of Geneva (Switzerland); and the Glasgow School of Art (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland).

The brief from the Commission called for the exploration and documentation of ‘multilevel governance’ as a process to support and further the aims and objectives of "Transforming our World, Agenda2030" – primarily, but not solely, through the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and delivery of their targets. The purpose of the work anticipated the assemble of best practice and formulation of principles that could be shared with the Commission and governments of Member States in order to describe the benefits, challenges and economic contribution of collaborative forms of governance and practice through vertical, horizontal, and transnational forms of collaboration seen as essential for translating global commitments into locally relevant action, to enhance resilience, legitimacy and innovation. The intent was to explore ‘multilevel governance’ (MLevG) as an alternative and/or complement to ‘multilateral governance’ (MLatG). The latter requires a process of consensus and adoption by Governments of Member States. This can become a time-consuming process involving resolution of high-level procedural matters that can delay, and at times obstruct, progress with the development of guidance for detailed principles and practice that have already been signed off by Member States.

The document put forward recommendations for making governance more effective without challenging necessary and significant diplomatic processes. It was presented to the 86th Session of the UNECE Committee of Urban Development, Housing and Land Management, in October 2025. The Committee noted its content and encouraged the continuation of research and development to document the practice and implementation of multilevel governance in practice.