Global cooperation has been on a stagnating trajectory in recent years, according to the latest report from the World Economic Forum. Despite periods of optimism, the current state of global collaboration presents both challenges and opportunities.
The Stagnation of Global Cooperation
The latest Global Cooperation Barometer 2025, released by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with McKinsey & Company, provides a comprehensive snapshot of the state of global cooperation. Drawing on 41 indicators across five critical pillars—trade and capital, innovation and technology, climate and natural capital, health and wellness, and peace and security—the report highlights a concerning trend: after nearly a decade of positive momentum, global cooperation has stalled.
This decline is attributed to political and geopolitical instability, which has hindered collaborative efforts. As the world transitions away from a stable post-Cold War order into a more uncertain future, cooperation faces considerable challenges. Yet, despite these setbacks, there are still areas where global cooperation is thriving, offering a glimmer of hope.
The Optimist’s Outlook
For those who choose to view the glass half full, the Global Cooperation Barometer provides several encouraging signs. One of the most positive trends is seen in the area of climate action. While the battle against climate change is far from won, global cooperation in areas such as emission reduction, preserving natural capital, and preparing for the effects of the climate crisis continues to move in the right direction.
Public and private sector climate finance flows have reached record levels, accelerating investment in low-carbon technologies like solar, wind, and electric vehicles (EVs). These advances have helped reduce the demand for coal, gas, and oil, signaling a shift toward a more sustainable global economy.
Another area of growth is the innovation and technology sector. The digitization of the global economy has spurred cooperation, with countries and industries adopting new technologies at an unprecedented rate. Innovations in lithium-ion battery production, for example, have driven a significant drop in prices, bolstering the deployment of technologies that support the transition to a greener economy.
Health and wellness have also seen improvements. The report highlights that key health metrics, such as child mortality and life expectancy, are improving in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Biomedical innovations continue to make strides, offering hope for better disease detection, diagnosis, and treatment.
The Pessimist’s Outlook
While the optimist can find reasons for hope, the pessimist might focus on the darker trends highlighted in the report. The lack of global cooperation could have dire consequences, especially as the world grapples with a record-breaking heatwave, an unstable global economy, and rising geopolitical tensions.
The report underscores the continued deterioration of cooperation in the area of peace and security. Over the past seven years, the metrics related to peace have consistently declined, with violent conflicts ongoing in regions such as the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan. In 2024, more than 122 million people were forcibly displaced due to conflict—a stark reminder of the human toll these geopolitical struggles have.
International institutions, such as the United Nations, have struggled to prevent or mitigate conflicts. In 2023, the UN Security Council passed fewer resolutions than in any year since 2013, and there have been no new peacekeeping operations since 2014. This inability of global institutions to effectively manage peace and security remains one of the greatest concerns regarding global cooperation.
Additionally, the report warns that trade and capital flows are also showing signs of decline, particularly in developing economies and with major trade partners like China. Rising trade restrictions, especially in sectors like low-carbon technologies, threaten both global cooperation and the pursuit of sustainability goals. Alarmingly, only 17% of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are on track to be met by 2030.
The Need for Revived Global Collaboration
Despite these challenges, the report stresses that global cooperation is more critical than ever. It serves as the foundation for resilience, security, and growth. The question for leaders and policymakers, the report suggests, should not be whether they should cooperate but how to do so effectively in an increasingly fragmented world.
The World Economic Forum calls for a more agile approach to cooperation. Leaders must be willing to embrace disordered solutions, pivot quickly in response to emerging opportunities, and recognize that even seemingly small cooperation opportunities can lead to larger breakthroughs. It is this kind of flexibility and responsiveness that will enable leaders to overcome barriers and foster trust.
By reimagining how we cooperate on the global stage, we can create a virtuous cycle of collaboration. This renewed approach will help build trust among international stakeholders and create new opportunities for shared solutions.
Global cooperation is at a crossroads. While there are certainly areas of progress, the lack of broader collaboration presents significant risks to global stability and prosperity. The challenge now is for leaders to find innovative ways to strengthen cooperation across all sectors, from peace and security to sustainability and technology.
In times of uncertainty, cooperation remains our greatest tool for overcoming global challenges. Let’s hope the optimists are right—because the future of the planet depends on it.
Click to read more: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/01/optimists-pessimists-guide-state-global-cooperation/
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