The world is grappling with multiple overlapping crises: political polarization, the rise of far-right movements, escalating conflicts, and the existential threat of climate change. Amid this turmoil, the mechanisms of international cooperation are increasingly strained. The current geopolitical climate, most notably the new U.S. administration, highlights these tensions as global agreements are being reevaluated or abandoned altogether. 

This session will critically examine how these pressures are reshaping the landscape of international cooperation, addressing questions such as the following: What does multilateralism look like in an era of division? How can we resist the pull towards fragmentation and foster solidarity in the face of diverging interests and priorities? 

Through a forward-looking dialogue, we will explore pragmatic pathways for nations, institutions, and communities to work together on addressing vital global public goods. While the challenges are immense, this session seeks to identify strategies for building resilient and inclusive forms of global collaboration that can endure and even thrive in a fractured world.