forbes.com
Global Cooperation Stagnates Despite Some Positive Trends
The 2025 Global Cooperation Barometer shows cooperation is higher than pre-pandemic levels but has plateaued; key challenges include decreased global peace and security, trade, and progress on UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- How do the declining levels of trade and capital cooperation impact global economic growth and development?
- The 2025 Global Cooperation Barometer reveals a mixed picture. While some areas show progress, such as improvements in health outcomes and digitization driving innovation, setbacks in global peace and security, coupled with decreased trade and foreign direct investment, hinder overall advancement. The UN's Pact of the Future aims to address this, but broader action is crucial.
- What are the most significant factors contributing to the stagnation of global cooperation despite some positive trends?
- Global cooperation, while slightly improved since the pre-pandemic period, has plateaued over the last three years. Key factors include a decline in global peace and security, decreased trade and capital cooperation, and slower progress on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Only 17% of these goals are currently on track.
- What innovative strategies can governments and businesses employ to foster cooperation in a fragmented geopolitical environment?
- Future global cooperation hinges on addressing urgent security challenges and embracing new approaches. Governments must foster open dialogue and reassess assumptions, while businesses need to enhance geopolitical expertise and empower decision-making to navigate risks and achieve sustainable growth. The evolving global landscape demands adaptable cooperation mechanisms.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the current global situation predominantly through a lens of challenges and risks, setting a somewhat pessimistic tone. The headline and opening paragraphs emphasize the numerous crises, which sets the stage for the rest of the analysis. While acknowledging some positive developments, the emphasis remains on the negative aspects, potentially affecting the reader's overall perception of the state of global cooperation.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral and factual, employing terms like "challenging context" and "urgent challenges." However, the repeated emphasis on negative trends and the use of words like "crisis," "deterioration," and "flatlined" contributes to an overall negative tone, which could be considered a form of subtle language bias. More balanced language, highlighting both challenges and opportunities, would improve neutrality.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses primarily on challenges and lacks detailed examples of successful global cooperation initiatives. While it mentions the UN Pact for the Future and progress in certain areas like health and digitization, it doesn't provide specific case studies or in-depth analysis of successful cooperation models. This omission could leave the reader with a pessimistic view, overlooking potential solutions and progress.
False Dichotomy
The article doesn't explicitly present false dichotomies, but the focus on challenges might implicitly create a dichotomy between cooperation and conflict, overlooking the complexities and nuances of international relations. The emphasis on challenges, while valid, could overshadow the ongoing efforts towards cooperation.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights a global security crisis, with the highest number of conflicts since World War II and increased forcibly displaced people. This directly impacts peace, justice, and strong institutions, hindering progress toward SDG 16.