Dossier

Shaping the future of multilateralism

Inclusive pathways to a just and crisis-resilient global order

Global governance is the challenge of this decade. The international system has been ill-equipped to deal with the parallel and intersecting crises of the Covid-19 pandemic, soaring debt levels and accelerating climate change. Global inequality and poverty are on the rise, while trust in multilateral institutions and processes is at a low point.

At a time when the United States is beginning to re-engage constructively, with the European Union and other partners in international institutions and processes, there is a new opportunity to address structural inequities, to counter the spread of authoritarianism and to explore new visions of fiscal solidarity, ecologic sustainability and protecting human rights.

This publication series explores pathways to a just, sustainable and democratic international order that takes into account the needs and priorities of countries with emerging and developing economies and the most vulnerable people and communities. Our authors, with background and experience in those countries, offer civil society perspectives on the importance of providing adequate climate finance, on the conditions for fair trade with goods as well as digital services, and on a vision for a global economic and financial system that promotes and protects diversity, human rights and gender equality. A project by the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union and Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Washington, DC offices.

Shaping the future of multilateralism: An overview on inclusive pathways to a just and crisis-resilient global order

The 20 authors of the 15 papers in this series illuminate the depth of the problems in the three specific fields of international trade, digital governance, and climate finance, with special attention to human rights and gender equality. The researchers illustrate the profound failures of national governments and international mechanisms, and often reflect the frustrations of populations or countries that feel the rich and powerful are running roughshod over the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable for their own outsized benefit, and are doing so with impunity.

By Viola Gienger , Sabine Muscat , Liane Schalatek , Anna Schwarz and Lisa Tostado

Shaping the Future of Multilateralism 2.0

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Global governance must meet local needs

Effective multilateral governance is essential to address many of humanity’s crises – from the pandemic to climate change to inequality — and emerging issues such as the effect of technology. We need new mechanisms to redress North-South asymmetries of power and systemic inequities, so that solutions are tailored to local needs and capacities.

Digital trade rules: Big Tech’s end run around domestic regulations

Trade agreements have become an important battleground for tech companies to fight the regulatory pressure they are finally facing in the Global North. But allowing tech companies to capture digital trade talks to defang domestic regulation creates serious risks for privacy, fundamental rights, competition, social and economic justice, and sustainable development.

Africa’s free-trade area signals intent for a new kind of relationship with the EU

The momentous African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which went into effect on Jan. 1, demonstrates the continent’s desire to carve its own economic destiny. But as Africa’s biggest trading partner, the European Union’s actions will have a strong impact on the project’s chances of success. The EU’s historical record suggests it would benefit from more serious listening to what its African partners want on trade.

By Dr. Olumide Abimbola

Mobilizing resources urgently for climate action: overcoming longstanding challenges and learning from Covid-19

The Covid-19 pandemic has shown that countries can marshal significant resources quickly and at scale in an emergency. The climate crisis requires no less. Only when longstanding issues of climate finance are resolved, can the international system ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable people, communities, and countries can make the necessary changes the whole world needs.

By Mohamed Adow

Feminist, decolonial economic solutions to address interconnected global crises

The undeniable connections among the multiple crises that humanity faces today -- climate change, biodiversity loss, inequality, poverty, and the Covid-19 pandemic -- demand interconnected, rather than segmented, macro solutions. Responses must be systemic and address the structural dynamics and shortcomings of governance, economics and finance. A feminist and decolonial framing provides a lens for proposed reforms.

By Emilia Reyes

Regional integration as a driver for change

Successful cooperation within or among regions can be a stepping stone for broader global change. It can also serve as a buffer for countries at risk of being caught up in the geostrategic rivalry between powerful players such as the United States and China and/or among corporate conglomerates.

High level meeting between EU and Turkish officials

Persistent turbulence in Turkey and the EU calls for restored cooperation for a post-pandemic world

Turkey and multilateral institutions alike, including the European Union, were already struggling with political and economic crises in the years before the pandemic multiplied the sense of catastrophe. As they seek to pull themselves out of the depths of Covid-19, it is time to set aside the divisions that have long stalled progress for all of them, and seek recovery in cooperation and mutual benefit.

By Evren Dinçer

Indian woman uses cell phone

India as archetype: What emerging data powerhouses need for effective information sharing

The need for cross-border data sharing throughout the Covid-19 pandemic has shown that the future of multilateral threat management will hinge on steady yet flexible open-data publishing norms and multilateral data-transfer agreements. In many ways, India typifies the perspectives and needs of emerging economies related to data sharing, data flows, and related commercial regulation.

South African flag on shipping containers

Could South Africa, spurred by Covid-19, drive more equitable global trade norms?

Major multilateral institutions have long claimed that their market-oriented trade rules reduce poverty and advance development. Instead, they hold back the developing world from a more human-centric, social-justice approach that it needs to reach its potential. South Africa has the potential to set an example of how a global “middle power” can drive change. The Covid-19 pandemic has provided extra impetus – and a test.

By Arina Muresan and Sanusha Naidu

Two children in front of a laptop

Towards a “digital new deal” for Latin America: Regional unity for a stronger recovery

The absence of an integrated digital market and a unified political vision for tech policy in Latin America and the Caribbean puts the countries of the region at risk of dependency on a foreign private sector for their digital transformation. The investment that will be required to recover from the pandemic offers a unique chance to break out of the current market logic and treat technology as critical social infrastructure that must be sustainable and requires citizen participation.

By Renata Avila

Photo of ASEAN conference on Covid-19

How multilateralism does and doesn't work in ASEAN

Populism, nationalism, and an intensifying rivalry between the United States and China are testing the cooperation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). As its 10 member States battle the effects of Covid-19 amid political and territorial crises, the group has struggled to overcome internal differences and address profound external challenges.

By Deasy Simandjuntak

Mine in Georgian city of Chiatura

Imbalanced foreign trade, debt, and investment in developing countries: The case of Georgia

Georgia remains a developing country even three decades after its independence from the Soviet Union and despite its strategic location and abundant natural resources. It has benefited to a limited extent from foreign investment and relatively recent free-trade agreements with the EU and China. But its full emergence as an economically and politically resilient State has been hampered by a modernization-driven development agenda and neoliberal policies, with too little regard for their social and environmental impacts in Georgia. The country also has been held back by high-pressure, counter-productive trade- and lending policies imposed by global powers such as the IMF, the EU, the United States, and China.

Shaping the Future of Multilateralism 1.0

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A global order that serves people and the planet

Human rights, justice and equality must be the foundations of a resilient and sustainable global system. Meaningful reforms would empower marginalized people and communities, and promote gender equality as well as intergenerational justice. They also would increase the accountability of governments and corporations.

Two African women look at their phones

Does data protection safeguard against gender-based risks in Southern Africa?

The increasing data-driven nature of societies raises concerns about how to prevent data misuse and abuse that may harm individuals and communities, particularly marginalized groups. A feminist critique of the model law on data protection of the Southern African Development Community and the EU’s GDPR, however highlights the dangerous gaps that place women and gender-diverse people at risk.

By Chenai Chair

Man and woman wash hands in front of solar panels

Artificial distinction between climate change adaptation and development restricts access to climate finance for developing countries

Urgently addressing the growing impact of climate change in developing countries, especially on the most poor and marginalized people and communities, requires a better understanding of what constitutes adaptation, how it applies in local contexts, and how to increase the quantity and quality of financing provided for such measures. Some funders have created an artificial distinction between adaptation and development approaches, ignoring the past injustices and related historical development deficits, that is counterproductive and limits access to adaptation financing for developing countries. Instead, the international community should focus on “climate-proofing” development projects, frameworks, and systems, respect and protect human rights, encourage participation, and account for the disproportionate effects of climate change on women and girls.

By Harjeet Singh and Indrajit Bose

Women carrying water during a drought

Just and sustainable finance to address multiple global crises demands a focus on gender equality

In this time of triple crises, with intersecting impacts from the pandemic, the climate emergency, and persistent economic inequality, the global community and its leaders face a “Kairos moment” – a turning point at a critical time for action. The choice is whether to continue with failed policies that have brought the world to this perilous juncture or to retool global economies and systems. Imaginative and transformative approaches could address climate change and other environmental, health, and social threats, based on equity and justice, including gender-equitable access to sustainable finance.

By Mariama Williams

Outlawing gender-based political violence: Can Tunisia’s example carve a multilateral path for others?

Expanding on the United Nations Women’s Rights Convention, Tunisia became the first Arab country to incorporate into its laws the notion of gender-based political violence. Can this concept now be incorporated into international instruments to benefit more women across the globe, starting with UN Women’s 2021 Generation Equality Forum?

By Besma Soudani Belhaj and Najla Abbes

Biometrics in Belgrade: Serbia’s path shows broader dangers of surveillance state

On the EU’s periphery, Serbia has deployed enough biometric surveillance technology from China’s Huawei for law enforcement and “Safe City” solutions to cover practically all of Belgrade’s public spaces. Public pressure has raised the bar for turning on the technology, but the alarming project illustrates the need for transparent regulation of such systems everywhere, to ensure the protection of fundamental human rights.

By Danilo Krivokapić , Mila Bajić and Bojan Perkov

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