Issue Multi-layered and fluid global governance

Summary

The international order is undergoing structural change marked by stronger multi-layered governance, fluid realignment of alliances, fragmentation of norms and deepening trade blocs. US-China strategic rivalry and regional conflicts are shaking the Western-led order and driving multipolarity, with a third bloc of the Global South emerging beyond the West versus China and Russia. Simultaneous shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis and geopolitical conflicts such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza have created a polycrisis that exposes the limits of existing cooperation. The shift is exposing global inequality and trust deficits, splitting technology standards and networks, and driving supply-chain realignment and protectionism, while multilateral institutions weaken and new regional and value blocs compete. Friend-shoring, security groupings such as AUKUS and the Quad, and emerging blocs such as BRICS+ illustrate the fragmentation, and the survey sees a need for governance centred on resilience and inclusion through reform of international organisations and greater transparency.