KUALA LUMPUR: Diplomats must work more closely with civil society groups and non-governmental organisations (NGO) to best serve national interests, said Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.

This is because civil societies and NGOs have emerged as among the most significant players in the international realm today, the Perak Ruler said in a keynote address at the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations here on Wednesday.

Sultan Nazrin said long established and reputable international NGOs such as Amnesty International, CARE International, OXFAM International, Doctors Without Borders and Mercy Malaysia have contributed towards the alleviation of human suffering and the improvement of livelihoods.

He said that working with NGOs may not always be easy, especially on the domestic scene.

"Things can get uncomfortable when governments become sensitive to scrutiny by assertive and vocal NGOs.

"This is especially the case in developing countries with authoritarian tendencies or where democratic practices are still evolving," he said in the address titled 'Transformation for 21st Century Diplomats'.

Sultan Nazrin, however, said that efforts must continue to be made in this area.