Dan Schreiber and Celine Giuliani are professionals with a blend of practitioner, policy, and academic experience in international peace, security, human rights, and development and global policymaking. Their work spans multilateral organisations (UN, OECD, EU), academia, civil society, and think tanks. In this piece, they explore the challenges and opportunities for international cooperation, the future of international organisations and the multilateral system through a systems-thinking lens.
A worrying trend is taking hold in global cooperation, marked by rising nationalism and authoritarianism, economic protectionism and a renewed arms race. Walls are going up, both literally and figuratively. In recent weeks, geopolitical shifts have intensified, with competition eclipsing global solidarity and the pursuit of a just world, compounded by regression in climate action and an assault on information integrity. This retreat from cooperative principles threatens to unravel the fabric of international cooperation and the rules-based global order that has sustained decades of efforts to achieve inclusive peace and development.
The scale and speed of these changes are understandably leading to confusion and a sense of powerlessness. Regrettably, this comes precisely at a time when an alternative, unifying vision for our societies and our planet is desperately needed. Yet, even in times of adversity, the peaceful promotion of inclusive governance and respect for human rights can prevail in the long run, as the courageous voices of Václav Havel and Wangari Maathai have shown in the past. Following their example, it is imperative that the defenders of a just world order pull together to shape a more equitable and sustainable future.
We propose three approaches to navigate the current headwinds in international cooperation:
1. Adopting the Long-Term View and VUCA Lens to Global Cooperation
The volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA) that previously defined conflict-affected and fragile contexts has now become the ‘new normal’ of the broader international landscape. As short-termism is in full swing, countervailing efforts to support long-term, inclusive approaches – which are key principles for an effective international response in VUCA contexts – must now be applied globally. This means:
Maintaining dialogue and seeking common ground. Experience in politically constrained environments such as Myanmar, Sudan or Afghanistan, among other contexts, shows the vital importance of maintaining communication, if only in a targeted, discreet or intermittent manner. At the level of global cooperation, this insight should prompt efforts to seek convergence on global challenges where common ground is still possible, as in the recent cases of the Global Digital Compact and the High Seas Treaty.
Opening multilateral institutions to more inclusive cooperation. Just as rebuilding a nation after a major crisis or conflict requires bringing diverse voices to forge a shared future, addressing today’s global challenges demands the inclusion of all stakeholders, including those traditionally marginalised. This means creating more space for parliaments, civil society, local communities and public-private collaboration to influence global policymaking. It also means greater openness, transparency and inclusive representation in existing global fora. The UN Global Compact, GAVI and various OECD platforms arguably provide good examples of inclusive cooperation models.
Fostering systems thinking and response to the polycrisis. As with multidimensional fragility, the current reality of complex, cascading crises calls for integrative solutions. This means prioritising resilience, adaptability, interdisciplinary and cross-organisational cooperation. This is why the United Nations, International Financial Institutions and other key stakeholders should urgently prioritise system-wide approaches to fragility, such as those at the heart of the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.
2. Staying engaged in Conflict-Affected and Politically Constrained Environments
The growing indifference to human suffering, coupled with massive aid cuts, increased defence spending and a narrow vision of security, is contributing to a dangerous normalisation of conflict and violence against civilians. This trend, evident in the paralysis of the UN Security Council and the proliferation of protracted crises (for example in Sudan, DRC and Myanmar), is eroding international norms and making the world less safe for all. Beyond the moral imperative to protect civilians, every new violation of international humanitarian law and basic human rights undermines our collective security. In addition, neglecting active conflict zones, where new alliances and power dynamics are emerging, creates fertile ground for extremism and further undermines global security.
A concerted effort is therefore needed to press UN bodies, especially the Security Council and the General Assembly, to move decisively. While reform of the UN Security Council and the international peace and security architecture remains critical to overcome the current impasse, it is also key to relentlessly hold global leaders to account by demonstrating the costs of inaction, the urgency of conflict prevention and the benefits of global solidarity.
3. Reimagining the Global Economic Model: Towards a More Balanced and Sustainable System
Ultimately, the legitimacy of the global governance system rests on addressing global systemic inequalities. The neoliberal economic model, with its over-reliance on wealth accumulation, has exacerbated gaps in social progress, degraded the environment and increased economic vulnerability. The ongoing geopolitical shifts offer an opportunity to lay the foundations for a new global economic consensus.
This will require sustained efforts to build trust across global fault lines. Key steps towards this include: (a) redefining human development beyond GDP growth; (b) acknowledging past and present injustices, especially the legacies of slavery, colonialism, extractive capitalism and patriarchy; (c) building a new, more equitable, international solidarity model, ending aid dependency; and (d) reforming International Financial Institutions’ governance and lending policies. These steps would recognise the legitimate claims of historically excluded populations, level the economic playing field and forge more mutual respectful partnerships for sustainable development.
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