Multilateralism itself is in crisis. For many, it is no longer able to provide the critically needed direction. This crisis of faith reflects the unchanging nature of these institutions embodying the post-World War, and certainly post-Cold War, reality. The changes in the global landscape – many countries once poor now account for nearly half the global economy – are not reflected in key decision-making multilateral bodies such as the UN Security Council and Bretton Woods institutions. Nor does the fastest-growing continent, Africa, have a voice in this foray. Multilateral decision-making bodies must reflect not just the world that is but also the world as it will and should be. This lies at the core of India‘s push for a permanent place for the African Union (AU), as part of the effort to have the world actually represent ‘the world’, the so-called ‘global South‘ in particular.
Reflecting this changed reality of the global landscape is not about rewriting history but about recognising that there are more countries that can share the responsibility of ensuring a cooperative and collaborative world order. The past few years have demonstrated that a strong multilateral system is in global interests – constraining dominant and emerging powers from the adventurism that the world can ill afford, and directing energies and resources where needed.
