Between Power Politics and Cooperation: Where Is International Cooperation Headed?

Some pillars of the multilateral system such as the United Nations, and especially the General Assembly, are unique: all 193 member states have equal rights in the General Assembly. Further erosion and weakening of the UN would have far-reaching consequences, as it will not be possible—neither in the short nor the long term—to create a similarly ambitious institution from scratch. Reforming the “old” system is therefore worthwhile. In this context, the Robert Bosch Stiftung supports a range of initiatives, including reform approaches for the UN Security Council in collaboration with think tanks, the „1 for 8 Billion“ campaign advocating for more participatory and transparent procedures in selecting UN leadership, and efforts to improve processes and negotiation capacities within the framework of the UNCCD COP in cooperation with the Center for Multilateral Negotiations (CEMUNE). 

Experience shows that reforming and advancing existing structures often requires complementary new initiatives and formats—at least temporarily—which in turn strengthen those very structures. For example, the Robert Bosch Stiftung supports the Commission on Democracy and Multilateralism, which aims to more firmly anchor democratic values within the UN and selected regional organizations, both internally and in their external work. The Hamburg Sustainability Conference is also supported by the foundation, not only as a significant platform for international cooperation initiated largely by German actors, but also as a complementary and central forum for UN-related topics such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Today, smaller and more agile formats are among the most promising approaches to international cooperation. New forms of collaboration and constellations of actors have been emerging worldwide and across all issue areas for years. So-called minilateral and plurilateral formats, as well as “coalitions of the willing,” bring together a wide range of actors, including governments, cities, civil society, and the private sector.
Their aim is to restore the ability to act in the face of pressing challenges, especially where progress in established multilateral structures is stalled or slow, often due to growing geopolitical tensions.

The subnational level plays a particularly important role here. Alliances of cities, parliaments, and civil society actors are gaining influence globally and giving rise to numerous initiatives. For example, the Robert Bosch Stiftung supports the Coastal Cities Coalition (3C), which strengthens exchange and collaboration among coastal cities and regions to accelerate adaptation and resilience in response to sea-level rise. Such alliances can also drive effective agenda-setting at both national and international levels. One example is the Mayors Migration Council, which has succeeded in firmly placing the policy area at the intersection of climate change and human mobility on international agendas.

The diversity of new formats entails risks, including the danger of counterproductive fragmentation. At the same time, this development can also offer advantages—particularly when it contributes to greater capacity to act, faster progress, and better outcomes. This requires that initiators and stakeholders take into account key “lessons learned” from successful examples. It is important to consider how different formats interact, complement one another, and add value compared to existing and parallel approaches. Linking up with relevant, larger multilateral formats is crucial to avoid further weakening them and to prevent the emergence of parallel structures.

Bottom-up approaches, i.e., participatory processes, have once again proven effective. They strengthen ownership, foster innovation, and lead to more sustainable solutions because they are rooted in the actual needs of those affected. An informal character can also be beneficial in politically sensitive contexts, helping to avoid excessive politicization and maintain the ability to act. Broad stakeholder networks generate legitimacy, political weight, and a diversity of perspectives. A sound institutional design is equally essential: it lays the foundation for effective cooperation and should include mechanisms for joint learning as well as regular exchange.

Stakeholders should also be aware of the level at which minilateral structures operate: do they generate primarily selective effects, or do they have transformative impact? Smaller initiatives—particularly minilateralism at the subnational (local) or civil society level—often produce targeted, localized results. Their value is undeniable. However, sustainable and far-reaching change can usually only be achieved when decision-makers at the national level are involved and cooperate with other states. This level should therefore always be considered and actively integrated.

Nation-states remain key vehicles in the current crisis of multilateralism. In this context, middle powers such as Brazil, India, South Africa, and the Gulf states are receiving significant attention. They are often celebrated—and called upon—as driving, constructive forces in reshaping international cooperation. Indeed, they do bear great responsibility given their relative political and financial power, and they are increasingly engaged to advance constructive and targeted inter-state cooperation. However, it remains crucial that they also play a stabilizing and constructive role in their own regions and advocate for an internationally binding value system.

International cooperation stands at a crossroads. What matters now is to strengthen and further develop existing structures and to link them intelligently with innovative and agile approaches. Only then can international cooperation fulfill its core mission: to create viable solutions to global challenges and to secure the long-term resilience of societies worldwide. However, without clear values and binding commitments to international law, human rights, peace, and freedom, such efforts risk being built on sand. Therefore, a clear commitment by the international community to these fundamental pillars remains indispensable.