5. "create a portfolio of actions that can address the stated goals at a level of complexity that is compatible with the complexity of the problem" (p. 77); 6. "identify the levels of political and societal organization where intervention is most acceptable and governance will be most effective and accountable" (p. 78); and 7. ensuring "instruments are living and flexible and able to respond effectively to new information and the evolving context as actions are taken" (Moomaw et al., 2017; 78-79).At its essence, SD diplomacy emphasizes the multi-faceted nature of sustainable development, with greater focus on negotiations (as five out of seven of the diagnostics indicate) (Moomaw et al., 2017). This multi-faceted nature, the definition, and above diagnostics of SD diplomacy suggest linkages and relevance to at least three broader literatures: international relations (IR), multi-party negotiation, and conflict (or dispute) resolution. 4 Yet, the emergent discipline of SD diplomacy draws little from these robust disciplines nor does it contribute to them. Drawing upon related literatures can strengthen SD diplomacy's relevance and provide an integrated understanding of the diverse array of processes SD diplomacy scholars call for to support sustainable development.With regards to the first body of literature, international relations (IR), the term 'diplomacy' is grounded in and defined by this field (Plischke, 1973), although some argue diplomacy is not central enough to the theory or practice of IR (Plischke, 1973;Sharp, 1999). Definitions of diplomacy vary-from use of the term without any definition (Plischke, 1973, p. 337), to more precise definitions. For example, diplomacy has been defined as a "discrete human practice constituted by the explicit construction, representation, negotiation, and manipulation of necessarily ambiguous identities" (Sharp, 1999, p. 33) and as encompassing both art and science in the "making (negotiating) and implementing of foreign policy, at all levels, centrally and in the field" (Plischke, 1973, p. 333). The latter definition closely reflects the one of SD diplomacy with the exception that it is limited to foreign policy. SD diplomacy argues that corresponding local and national policies and actions are needed to 4 SD diplomacy also has linkages to diplomacy, governance, and systems literatures, but for the purposes of this thesis, the focus is on international relations, multi-party negotiation, and conflict (or dispute) resolution. In addition, it is noted that 'diplomacy' is grounded within the field of international relations.achieve sustainable development at all scales (Moomaw et al. 207). While calling for an institutional reform in a "new era of international cooperation," Kjellén ( 2008) recognizes the realities facing interstate relations, that "boundaries of traditional diplomacy-concentrated on national security and economic and commercial matters-are being extended to a much broader concern for global sustainability," and that "power politics continue to rule the worl...