Role of Sub-States in International Organizations

The increasing prominence of subnational actors within international organizations (IOs) reflects a significant shift in global governance over the past 25 years. This chapter investigates how reforms within IOs have evolved to accommodate subnational actors in decision-making processes, international summits, and policy design. Specifically, it explores how these entities express their voices, participate in international dialogue, and influence policy outcomes (actorness). Through a top-down lens, the chapter reviews key institutional changes that have fostered the inclusion of city and state officials, analyzing both the structural and policy-driven motivations behind these shifts. The inclusion of subnational actors is driven by a growing recognition of their role in addressing global challenges, such as climate change, migration, and economic development, through local expertise and governance. This text assesses why international organizations, traditionally state-centric, have increasingly opened their platforms to subnational voices. It also considers how these actors respond to requests for involvement from IOs and the subsequent impact on global governance frameworks. Ultimately, the chapter comprehensively analyzes how subnational actors are transforming international policy spaces, shaping a more inclusive and multi-level form of global governance. It addresses global institutions such as the United Nations and affiliated agencies, intergovernmental regional forums such as the European Union and Organization of American States, and international financial institutions such as the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank.