The international multilateral system, born after the Second World War to guarantee cooperation, peace and development, is today going through a phase of profound crisis. Bodies such as the United Nations, WTO, WHO or IMF often appear paralyzed, ineffective or unable to respond promptly to global challenges: from armed conflicts to pandemics, from climate change to economic inequalities.
This crisis is not just technical, but political. Rivalries between great powers –particularly between the United States, China and Russia – are reflected in places of multilateralism, blocking decisions and fueling mistrust. Furthermore, many developing countries complain of poor representation and distribution of power still linked to post-war balances. In parallel, the return of nationalist and sovereignist tendencies has weakened collective commitment and fueled unilateral or bilateral strategies.
Yet, never before has there been a need for effective and inclusive multilateralism. The transnational nature of contemporary crises makes it evident that no State, alone, can meet the challenges of our time. What is really at stake is not only the future of international institutions, but the very possibility of governing the world in a cooperative, legitimate and sustainable manner.
