The future belongs to partnerships of equals!

Armand Zorn: We are living in an era of geopolitical fragmentation, overlapping crises and growing pressure on multilateral institutions. Against this backdrop, the pertinent question is no longer whether global cooperation needs to be reformed, but how. Despite the many challenges it poses, the current situation also presents a strategic window of opportunity. Rather than seeing this period of upheaval as merely eroding the existing order, we should instead seize the opportunity it offers to lay the foundations for a more inclusive and equitable international system.

This requires new forms of global cooperation that can provide direction, bring together shared interests that transcend national borders, and help develop a progressive vision of global justice for the 21st century. At the same time, international cooperation must be more closely aligned with the realities of a multipolar world and include the perspectives of countries that are often under-represented in existing structures. 

For Germany, this means broadening its international partnerships and developing new forms of cooperation. As an export-oriented, and globally connected economy, Germany relies on stable, open international markets and effective multilateral institutions. This is precisely why revitalising global cooperation is very much in our own interest. To achieve this, we need partnerships based on equality. 

Germany claims to always uphold international law and support multilateral solutions. However, it seems that many countries have a more critical view of us. In any case, the country’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council has just failed. You travel extensively – do you think Germany’s self-perception aligns with how its foreign policy is perceived internationally? 

Germany continues to enjoy a strong international reputation as a champion of multilateral cooperation, a reliable partner and supporter of a rules-based international order. This perception undoubtedly still holds true, but it is now less self-evident than it was a few years ago. 

The numerous discussions I have had with interlocutors from Africa, Asia and Latin America have shown that expectations of Germany remain high, but perceptions of the country have become more complex. Many of our partner countries value Germany’s willingness to engage in dialogue and long-term cooperation, as well as its commitment to international institutions. At the same time, there is growing scepticism as to whether Germany actually consistently applies the principles it advocates on the international stage. 

This is less about a commitment to upholding international law in general than about the issue of its consistent application across the board. In the Global South, in particular, people are watching very closely to see whether international rules and principles apply equally to everyone. Credibility is built when states are prepared to call out violations of international law, regardless of who commits them. When people see inconsistencies or double standards, they quickly begin to question whether the international order applies equally to everyone.

Germany’s failed bid for a seat on the UN Security Council should therefore not be hastily dismissed as an isolated diplomatic setback. Voting outcomes within the United Nations are essentially shaped by a variety of factors. However, they also serve as a reminder that international support can no longer be taken for granted. In a multipolar world, many states expect to have a greater say and for their perspectives to be taken seriously. 

Germany is currently facing major challenges when it comes to state modernisation, digitalisation and economic competitiveness. How can new global partnerships help us address these challenges? 

These challenges are often viewed solely from a domestic political perspective. The reality is that state modernisation, digitalisation and economic competitiveness have long been tied to global developments. Global partnerships give us access to markets, skilled labour and knowledge that we would simply not have on our own. When it comes to the digital state, for example, many countries are well ahead of us and have come up with innovative solutions that we can learn from. Partnerships on equal footing therefore mean so much more than us just passing on our own knowledge – they also enable us to learn from others. 

The same applies to future-oriented sectors such as artificial intelligence, digital administration, the recruitment of skilled labour, energy supply and the development of resilient supply chains. Countries that are well connected can adopt innovations more quickly, better mitigate risks and tap into new economic opportunities. This is why we must see global partnerships as more than just a foreign policy tool – they are a key building block in Germany’s modernisation. Countries with reliable international partners are more resilient, more innovative and more competitive in the long term. Strengthening global partnerships is therefore not only  a demonstration of international responsibility, but also an investment in our future resilience.

Artificial intelligence and technological change present enormous opportunities, but they also risk exacerbating existing inequalities and power imbalances. From a social democratic perspective, what international and multilateral initiatives could help ensure these transformative challenges are addressed fairly and equitably?  

Artificial intelligence and technological change do indeed present enormous opportunities. They can drive significant productivity gains, improve working processes and increase prosperity. At the same time, technological progress does not automatically benefit everyone equally. Those who develop the technologies of the future often also control the data, infrastructure and value chains underpinning those technologies. As a result, economic and political power is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few companies and states. 

From a social democratic perspective, we must therefore ensure that the benefits of technological progress are shared as widely as possible, rather than being confined to a small number of people. Without regulation, transparency and democratic oversight, there is a risk that existing inequalities will be further exacerbated – both within societies and between countries. 

This is precisely why international and multilateral approaches are needed to develop common standards for the use of artificial intelligence, protect basic rights and ensure a level playing field. An important framework for this is the UN’s Internet Governance Forum. This multi-stakeholder platform brings together governments, civil society, business and academia to shape the rules of digital change collectively, rather than leaving them to be determined by individual actors. 

It will also be crucial for the countries of the Global South to be more closely involved in shaping these digital regulations. The future of digital technologies must not be determined by a handful of technology hubs – it must be based on broad international participation. This is the only way to ensure innovation, democratic oversight and social justice go hand in hand.