Nearly 100 Ex-Leaders Urge Current Governments to Strengthen Global Cooperation
Event summary
- Around 100 former heads of state and government issued a joint call for renewed international cooperation on September 21, 2026.
- New global polling shows 57% of people across 34 countries support international cooperation despite rising nationalism.
- The Principles of Cooperation initiative aims to establish a common foundation for addressing global challenges like climate change and AI.
- The Rockefeller Foundation backed the initiative, highlighting public demand for cooperation grounded in human dignity and mutual respect.
The big picture
The call for renewed international cooperation comes as the global order faces increasing fragmentation due to nationalism, populism, and isolationism. The Rockefeller Foundation's initiative seeks to bridge these divides by establishing common principles for cooperation, addressing challenges like climate change, pandemics, and AI. The strategic anomaly lies in the contrast between the public's demand for cooperation and the current trend toward unilateral responses.
What we're watching
- Governance Dynamics
- How current leaders will respond to the call for renewed cooperation amid rising nationalism and populism.
- Public Sentiment
- Whether the 57% public support for cooperation will translate into tangible policy shifts.
- Execution Risk
- The pace at which the Principles of Cooperation initiative can be adopted and implemented globally.