Multilateralism: the concept whereby countries work together on common tasks and challenges, regardless of disagreements, seems currently out of favour. Three developments appear to seal its fate: first, the return of an emboldened Donald Trump to the White House has triggered a new phase of American particularism; second, Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has created a division in Europe not seen since WWII; third, increased scepticism in the Global South has seen countries or groups of countries adopting a negative view of engagement, particularly with regard to western countries.
The world had since the end of the Cold War, got used to a hierarchy in the international system, with the US at the top as the only superpower, big countries, such as China, Russia, and the EU (when acting collectively), seen as large powers; medium powers included Turkey, UK, Canada, France, Germany, India, and South Korea. All other countries were “small’’ powers, that only became relevant when working together in international frameworks, such as the UN. Of course, there is a lot of shoving as countries try to move from one group to another: China wants to be a superpower; the EU is considered an economic superpower, but is otherwise lagging. Countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Brazil, and many others, don’t think they are small at all.
Multilateralism keeps them all together
For decades, multilateralism kept everyone together. The US, always aloof, engaged selectively, but regularly enough, that one hardly noticed. The UN was the platform where everyone was present, and in theory at least, everyone had the same voice in the General Assembly (though of course not in the Security Council).
The European Union is key to a multilateralist future
The European Union (EU) is itself an organisation built on the concept of multilateralism: 27 member states voluntarily join to pool resources and work together. It is a success story, and when someone wants to leave, they can do so as Britain did in 2019.
But the EU is a multilateralist player in in own right on the world stage, and it takes this role seriously. On 17 June 2019, the Council, the 27 member states meeting together, issued Conclusions which set out the EU’s vision of multilateralism, and how it proposes to promote it. In the conclusions, the Council underlines that the need to promote multilateral solutions is more urgent than ever. The Council highlighted that the EU's interest lies in a multilateral system that is rules and rights-based, which protects the global commons, promotes shared public goods, and delivers benefits for citizens in Europe and across the globe.
The Council reiterates that cooperation through effective multilateralism remains the best way to advance national as well as collective interests. The EU aims for an effective multilateral system that delivers results in tackling today's and tomorrow's global challenges.
Despite Trump, Putin’s aggression, and the shenanigans in the Sahel and elsewhere, this document remains the basis of EU strategy and foreign policy. In an era of growing geopolitical tensions and interlinked global challenges, the European Union remains firmly committed to effective multilateralism, with the United Nations at its core. Earlier this year, on 15 March 2025, the European Council reaffirmed its commitment to multilateralism. Its conclusions said,
“The European Union has always upheld and will continue to uphold the UN Charter and the rules and principles it enshrines, in particular those of sovereignty and territorial integrity, political independence and self-determination. The European Council reaffirms the Union’s steadfast commitment to effective multilateralism and to the rules-based international order with the United Nations at its core.
The European Union will remain a predictable, reliable, and credible partner and welcomes the opportunity to work together in a changing environment with all its partners, as well as with the United Nations and its agencies in driving forward the internal reform process – the UN80 initiative – to ensure that the United Nations remains effective, cost-efficient and responsive.”
The commitment is crystal clear. The question is how?
Working with others.
A fact sheet on the EEAS website says,” The EU works very closely with and in other international organisations and entities, such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Trade Organisation, the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation” and adds that “ the EU seeks closer cooperation with other regional and multinational groupings such as the African Union, the Organisation of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States, the Association of South-East Asian Nations or the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States to address common challenges and to work together at the international level”.
China
It takes two to tango, and the partner of the EU on multilateralism can be China. Unlike the US, China pays lip service to multilateralism, but it actions on Taiwan, the South China Sea, Ukraine, and a lot of other issues, speak a different story. The EU needs to engage China on the multilateral agenda, but needs to do so carefully and selectively.
During a meeting with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on 24 July 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping appeared ready. He said that China and the European Union (EU) are both constructive forces for multilateralism, openness and cooperation, calling on both sides to provide more stability and certainty to the world.
The UN remains the medium of choice, but it needs to be fixed
Donald Trump’s rant at this year’s UN General Assembly is not without justification. The UN needs fixing, but the US proposes to throw out the baby with the bathwater.
The EU and China can fix this. Reform of the UN is a topic on which the two can work together. They should.
On multilateralism, the European Union, can and should lead. It must galvanise all its resources, including civil society, a sector where the EU has a lead by far, in the process.
source: Dennis Sammut is the Director of LINKS Europe, and Managing Editor of commonspace.eu
Photo: UN Security Council
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