Issue Multilateralism off the rails

Summary

This issue describes multilateral cooperation breaking down at the very moment shared problems demand it most. UNDP traces the retreat to great-power competition and security fears, which push states to look inward and to guard access to critical minerals and other natural resources. Military budgets are climbing fast while many OECD donors trim development assistance, and global military spending rose 9.4% in a single year. Member states call for reform of the United Nations but cannot agree on its shape, so cooperation has stalled overall and cooperation on peace and security keeps shrinking. Yet a majority of people still back working together internationally, which leaves open whether unilateral moves will rewrite global norms or new coalitions will renew the system.