Cooperating Across National Borders

The world is at a crossroads where challenges being faced by one country becomes the problem of other nations. A case in point being the COVID-19 virus. At that time many had not grasped the extent at which the virus would spread and so quicky, engulfing the entire world eventually. 

We are still reeling from the effects of the pandemic, with increasing questions being pointed out towards healthcare spending; lack of basic public infrastructure and the inefficiency among governments of both the developed and developing nations to counter global crises.

Cracks within the global order was also visible when 32 countries abstained from voting, while 7 countries including Russia voted against the UN’s call for an immediate end to the war in Ukraine. It is important that we attain global peace. It was the desire for peace, security and development that led to the formation of the United Nations in 1945 – after the devastation of World War II. “Over time, the multilateral system expanded, encompassing specialized agencies, regional organizations, and international agreements, reflecting the collective will to address the shared challenges of an interconnected world.” [excerpt from the United Nations website].

And now more than ever, we need to heighten cross-border cooperation and collaboration to address growing global issues around economic disparities, climate change and security. Effective collaboration among nations also fosters innovation. The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is an international agreement that provides a unified patent application and recognition framework across multiple jurisdictions. Administered by the World International Property Organization, PCT already boasts of 158 contracting states, including the G7 countries. The PCT does not only streamline the legal framework across patents, but also helps in fostering innovation and economic growth through enhanced intellectual property rights.

The theme of harmonization and cooperation should be sought after by world leaders to kickstart work around global peace, stability and growth. As an international think tank, Horasis is playing its role to further global peace and stability by organizing events such as the 10th Horasis Global Meeting, scheduled to take place in São Paulo, Brazil, between 7 to 10 October 2025. The meeting will draw inspiration and provide recommendations on developing cooperative frameworks to overcome global challenges.

Effective Cooperation Models

Global leaders don’t need to look beyond as effective cooperation models such as the United Nations has already proven how to go about addressing global challenges. The UN has been at the forefront of addressing climate change since the 1990s. It formed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that entered into force in 1994, whose members now extend to 198 countries. The ultimate objective of the Convention is to push for lowering of greenhouse gas concentrations “at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human induced) interference with the climate system.” It also states that “such a level should be achieved within a time-frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened, and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner.”

Additionally, the convention also launched the Kyoto Protocol which was adopted in 1997, and entered into force on 16 February 2005. In its first commitment period, that lasted between 2008-2012, several industrialized nations committed to reducing their overall GHG emissions to an average of 5% against 1990 levels. Meanwhile, their second commitment between 2013-2020 has increased that level to at least 18% below 1990 levels. 

Forging Togetherness

The world is now more disconnected than before. There is increasing rhetoric around protectionism and nationalism that is derailing all that had been achieved in the past. Conflicts have been raging and multiplying from the Middle East to Ukraine and Sudan to Myanmar. This already piles on top of other inevitable challenges of climate change, food insecurity and economic instability.

“Our world is going through a time of turbulence and transition. But we cannot wait for perfect conditions. We must take the first decisive steps towards updating and reforming international cooperation to make it more networked, fair and inclusive – now,” said Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his opening remarks to the Summit of the Future in New York, on 22 September 2024.

The summit was held at the United Nations headquarters in New York between 22-23 September 2024 to re-energize multilateralism and global cooperation to address 21st century challenges. The summit was opportune as after years of leadership in addressing global challenges, the UN’s authority seems to be eroding. The Summit successfully brought together world leaders in adopting the Pact for the Future that includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations. The pact outlines key actions in the areas of SDGs and sustainable financing gap; international peace and security; cooperation in science, technology and innovation; youth participation in global decision-making; and transforming global governance systems.

Photo Caption: Delegates from around the world gather at a UN forum on sustainable development.