Legal Definitions - démarche

A démarche refers to a formal communication or representation made by one government or diplomatic entity to another. These communications can be delivered orally or in writing and typically convey a specific message, such as a request, a protest, an offer, or a statement of policy.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of a démarche:

• Imagine the ambassador from Country A visits the foreign ministry of Country B to express serious concerns about recent cyberattacks believed to originate from Country B's territory. The ambassador delivers a formal statement outlining the evidence and demanding an investigation and cessation of such activities.

  This situation is a démarche because it involves a formal, diplomatic communication (an oral statement backed by evidence) from one government to another, conveying a protest and a demand for action regarding a specific issue.

• Consider a scenario where a group of nations is negotiating a new climate agreement. The lead negotiator for one major industrial nation submits a detailed written proposal to the negotiating body, outlining specific targets for emissions reductions and offering financial aid to developing countries that adopt these measures.

  This written proposal constitutes a démarche as it is a formal diplomatic statement (an offer and a policy proposal) made by a government to other international parties, aimed at influencing the outcome of a negotiation.

• Suppose a humanitarian crisis unfolds in a particular region, and several international organizations are struggling to deliver aid. The United Nations Secretary-General sends a special envoy to the government of the affected country with a formal request for immediate, unrestricted access for humanitarian convoys to all areas in need.

  This formal request by the special envoy is a démarche because it is a direct, official diplomatic communication (an oral and potentially written request) from a high-level international entity to a sovereign government, seeking specific action to address a critical situation.