Geopolitics, polycrises, and institutional gridlock are putting the global cooperation model under serious strain. But abandoning multilateralism cannot be the answer.
In our policy brief “Faster, Fairer, Fit for Purpose: Rewiring Multilateralism in a Fragmented Era”, we explore what a fit-for-purpose multilateralism could look like in 2026. The punchline: we don’t need less multilateralism, we need a multilateralism that actually delivers.
Our key takeaways:
1️⃣ Universal institutions still matter for legitimacy, rules, and representation.
But when speed is non-negotiable, mini-lateral “coalitions of the willing” can move faster.
2️⃣ The real test is design: Do these coalitions reinforce the UN system or quietly replace it?
3️⃣ And crucially: the Global South is no longer just a beneficiary – it’s increasingly a driver of reform.
In a fragmented world, the future likely isn’t either/or. It’s a both/and multilateralism: universal legitimacy paired with flexible, problem-focused coalitions.
📄 Read the policy brief.
What is your take: Where is multilateralism still working and where is it failing hardest?