Under tightening finances, expanding regulation and rapid technological change, Europe’s universities risk having their purpose reshaped without sufficient debate. The defining challenge is whether they adapt passively to policy instruments or lead strategically to safeguard long-term institutional mission.

US–Israel strikes may have slowed Iran’s nuclear capabilities, but they appear to have reinforced Tehran’s incentives to seek deterrence as economic collapse, domestic strain, and diplomatic isolation deepen, creating a precarious moment for regional order and European security.

Civil aviation governance, long a model of cooperation, is under strain from drones and autonomous systems. This GGI Commentary argues for recalibrated global, regional, and national frameworks led by ICAO to manage low-altitude risks, fragmentation, and capacity gaps while enabling safe innovation.

Strong leadership and institutional commitment are essential to embed teaching excellence and sustain knowledge creation. Through Research-Teaching-Integration, universities can foster innovation and collaboration even amid scarce resources and growing global challenges.

AI’s rapid expansion risks undermining global sustainability goals unless innovation is matched by efficiency. Aligning AI development with renewable energy, smarter hardware, and carbon-aware operations is key to building a truly green digital future.

As governments weaponise surveillance, disinformation, and internet shutdowns, the struggle for transitional justice is being fought on digital frontlines, where memory can be erased before truth and accountability even begin.

At The Hague Summit, NATO allies pledged more for defense, but uncertainty over US reliability leaves Europe facing urgent questions on security and Ukraine.

Amid escalating financial turmoil, meaningful UN reform remains out of reach without first stabilizing core functions and restructuring the system’s fragmented mandates, funding flows, and decision-making architecture.

Measuring education quality demands more than rigid metrics or flashy rankings; it requires a holistic focus on student experience, empowered educators, societal relevance, and strategic reflection amid rising efficiency pressures.

Trump’s rushed-deal diplomacy enables Russian aggression, exposing its limits at Ukraine’s expense and highlighting Europe’s urgent need for credible deterrence and leadership to ensure continental security.

China’s rapid ascent in global university rankings and Western institutions' deepening financial instability underscore an urgent need for collective leadership and international governance to sustain global competitiveness and innovation in higher education.

In 2025, global AI innovation is like a button pressed and stuck on fast forward. As much as those within academia, R&D, PhD labs, and think tanks desire to hit pause, stopping is no longer an option.

This study examines parliamentary capacity-building in EU enlargement countries, assessing democracy support efforts by EU institutions and partners. It highlights best practices, challenges, and the European Parliament’s key role in addressing democratic backsliding.

This GGI Analysis explores synthetic biology’s fusion with AI and its applications for controlling biological threats, while addressing environmental risks and governance challenges. It reviews current international frameworks and proposes preliminary guidelines for long-term governance, focusing on equity, participation, and risk management in this rapidly evolving field.

Examines the case for an Open Agency model of artificial general intelligence governed by a Global AGI Agency, sets out the four core elements of that proposal, and works through ten challenges it would face, from international cooperation and centralisation of power to democratic accountability and security risks.

The potential normalization of Russia during a Trump presidency could undermine global security and U.S. strategic interests. This approach risks ignoring Russia’s history of aggression and its strengthening ties with adversarial nations like China, Iran, and North Korea. Sustained U.S. military support for Ukraine is vital for countering Russian threats, fostering defense innovation, and reinforcing American readiness. Prioritizing transatlantic cooperation and Ukraine’s defense capabilities is crucial for ensuring long-term stability.

The current rivalry between NATO and Russia, most concretely expressed in the current Russo-Ukraine War, may need to be stabilized in part by a continental-wide, post-war conventional arms control (CAC) agreement. Whilst the duration and eventual outcome of the current war is of course far from predictable, such a future CAC agreement should improve diplomatic relations, reduce tensions, arms races, and the likelihood of conflict – as such agreements have done throughout Europe in the past 100 years.

On 5 November 2024, INTERPOL elected Valdecy Urquiza of Brazil as its new Secretary General. Urquiza steps into a critical role, steering an organization that’s thrived amid global tensions but now faces fresh challenges from renewed power rivalries and complex war crime issues. As the first SG from the Global South, he must navigate INTERPOL’s commitment to neutrality in an increasingly polarized world.

BRICS’ expansion with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE has heightened China’s influence, sparking tensions among members like Brazil and India wary of an anti-Western shift. This internal divide casts doubt on BRICS’ potential as an alternative global governance platform.

The UN Summit of the Future calls for bold cooperation on climate, digital equity, and responsible AI, urging unified action to harness technology for good and revive the Sustainable Development Goals. Now, governments, businesses, and civil society must turn these ambitions into results.

African nations have struggled for stability and growth amid political turmoil. While Regional Economic Communities (RECs) were designed to foster integration and security, challenges like limited funding persist. With Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger exiting ECOWAS over foreign influence concerns, the future of African alliances faces new uncertainty.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stresses the need for peace on Ukraine's terms, warning against rushed deals lacking robust security guarantees. Without such measures, Ukraine risks renewed Russian aggression, hindering reconstruction, stability, and European security, while strong international backing could ensure Ukraine's resilience and long-term deterrence.

The UN Summit of the Future in September 2024 aims to adopt the Pact for the Future, addressing global governance challenges. Priorities include creating international AI governance frameworks emphasizing ethics, transparency, and equity while fostering collaboration to mitigate risks, reduce inequalities, and leverage AI for sustainable development and the SDGs.

Coups in West Africa, particularly in Guinea, Mali, and Burkina Faso, exacerbate gender inequalities, increasing women’s vulnerability to violence and instability. This policy brief explores these impacts, highlighting the need for targeted international responses and actionable measures to protect women and girls during and after political upheavals.

The Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland (June 15–16) seeks global support for the Ukrainian Peace Formula addressing food security, nuclear safety, and POW release. Challenges include declining participation, geopolitical tensions, and threats to Ukraine’s sovereignty in final agreements. Upholding international law and justice remains crucial for sustainable peace.

Teaching excellence in higher education gained prominence with quality assurance frameworks in the 1990s. Global initiatives, like the UK's HEA and Norway's Centres for Excellence, emphasize strategic planning, partnerships, and impactful frameworks to enhance teaching and student experiences.

The EU, US, and Japan are enhancing cooperation to boost competitiveness in critical technologies and secure resilient supply chains, focusing on reducing reliance on China, diversifying resources, and fostering innovation amid global economic security challenges.

The UNRWA, essential for Palestinian refugees, faces a funding crisis amid controversies, impacting Gaza's humanitarian situation. A Global Governance Institute paper urges reversing funding freezes and improving decision-making to uphold humanitarian governance.

The ICJ ordered Israel to implement provisional measures in a genocide case brought by South Africa regarding Gaza. Concerns persist over Israel's compliance, reflecting broader challenges to international law and the legitimacy of the rules-based order.

The EU AI Act, approved in March 2024, introduces a risk-based regulatory framework to balance AI innovation and fundamental rights protection. While it promotes transparency and accountability, concerns persist about national security exceptions and potential surveillance risks, shaping the future of AI governance.

The Council of Europe’s draft Framework Convention on AI aims to set global standards for AI that align with human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. However, compromises over private companies' regulation and national security exemptions may weaken its effectiveness in protecting individuals from AI's risks.

Ukraine's "Peace Formula," developed by President Zelenskyy, outlines Ukraine's vision for a fair, enduring peace amid the ongoing war with Russia. It has evolved from a 5-point to a 10-point plan and seeks international support, aiming to reform global governance and address military aggression.

Misinformation and disinformation, amplified by AI, pose major challenges for democracy. As AI increases information production, it can enhance collective intelligence but also contribute to polarization. To combat this, institutions must regain trust through transparency and openness, adapting to new models of governance.

The October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel prompted military operations in Gaza. The Israeli actions have raised concerns of genocide, leading South Africa to file a case with the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICJ ruled that Israel must comply with the Genocide Convention and protect Palestinian civilians.

Emerging technologies, particularly AI and quantum tech, present both opportunities and risks. The U.S. and NATO have emphasized balancing innovation with regulation to maintain competitiveness and address societal challenges. However, these technologies also create vulnerabilities, such as AI-driven disinformation, requiring new frameworks for global cooperation and governance.

The EU's AI Act faced delays after France and Germany opposed regulating general-purpose AI models like GPT-4, fearing overregulation could harm Europe's AI competitiveness. Despite challenges, the EU must prioritize digital rights and proactive regulation to address AI risks, aiming for a balance between innovation and accountability.

An independent study, requested by the 16 signatory states of the Declaration of Lima, examining the obstacles Latin American and Caribbean countries face in contributing to UN peace operations and setting out recommendations for how participation from the region can be increased.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis, with 100,000 Karabakh Armenians fleeing after Azerbaijan’s military operation. The international community faces challenges in providing aid, mediating peace talks, and addressing accusations of ethnic cleansing. Open communication and the Responsibility to Protect principle are crucial.

Eloho Otobo, a dedicated UN peacebuilding expert, passed away unexpectedly in June 2022. He was a warm, optimistic, and insightful mentor who significantly impacted global governance and peacebuilding. His legacy lives on through his work, teachings, and the many lives he touched at the Global Governance Institute.

Provides advice on implementing the Strategic Compass’s partnership dimension in security and defence. It analyzes key EU partnerships, their challenges, and offers recommendations to enhance cooperation and achieve Strategic Compass goals, while exploring the European Parliament's role in this process.

President Macron's remarks on Taiwan sparked reactions, overshadowing his European economic doctrine. Despite tensions, France and Germany share commitment to European sovereignty, aligning on key foreign and security policies. They must work together and engage Central and Eastern Europe to ensure strategic autonomy, particularly in light of shifting global dynamics.

This report maps how teaching excellence is defined, promoted, and rewarded across higher education systems in Czechia, Denmark, Portugal, and the Netherlands. It highlights varied national approaches, qualification schemes, incentives, and the impact of COVID-19, offering a foundation for developing a European framework for teaching excellence.

Stefaan de Rynck's Inside the Deal offers an insightful account of the EU's Brexit negotiations, emphasizing trust, unity, and transparency. The book contrasts the EU's stable approach with the UK's internal divisions, highlighting the role of the media and political tensions. It provides valuable lessons for future EU-UK relations.

NATO has made progress in developing PoC policies, but its readiness for implementation in future crises is unclear. A PoC preparedness assessment, inspired by Germany's evaluations, could help NATO and its allies improve national and organizational preparedness for civilian protection in peace operations.

The UK’s exit from Erasmus, replaced by the Turing Scheme, weakens its global position, harms language learning, and reduces cultural exchange. The decision overlooks economic and cultural benefits, with consequences for UK businesses, universities, and social mobility. Northern Ireland students will still benefit through Irish government support.

Examines the impact of Western troop contributions to the UN mission in Mali (MINUSMA), highlighting mixed results. While Western nations bring valuable expertise, their contributions have faced challenges, affecting the overall effectiveness of UN peacekeeping and the ability to sustain peace in Mali.

This study analyses the evolving relationship between the IMF and the EU in the wake of the global financial and Eurozone debt crises, highlighting tensions, lessons learned, and the urgent need for transparency, reform, and stronger European representation within global economic governance.

Uzbekistan, historically authoritarian, shows signs of opening to Civil Society Organizations, raising questions about the sincerity of this shift. This paper explores whether the government's actions are genuine or deceptive, and why such a repressive state would create expectations it may not fulfill.

This publication examines the EU’s Joint Communication on the Comprehensive Approach to external conflict and crises, assessing institutional progress since Lisbon in early warning and crisis response, while underscoring persistent shortcomings in external cooperation with international and regional partners.

Professor Johan Galtung outlines 10 recommendations for the EU's foreign policy, advocating for intercultural dialogue, promoting regional organizations, and addressing historical grievances. He calls for improved EU relations with key partners, enhanced crisis management, and a balanced approach to EU-African relations, recognizing Europe's colonial past.

The Global Governance Institute advocates for re-launching negotiations on a WMD-free zone in the Middle East, emphasizing the benefits of regional trust, citizen protection, and peace. Despite significant obstacles, an eight-step roadmap offers a path to achieve these goals, as outlined by Ambassador Cosimo Risi.

This GGI Analysis advocates expanding the Responsibility to Protect (RtoP) framework to cover natural disasters and climate-related crises. It proposes empowering the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) as a neutral, non-military actor to lead humanitarian response efforts where states are unwilling or unable to protect their populations.

Ejeviome Eloho Otobo offers an inside overview of the Peacebuilding Commission's evolution, focusing on institutional adaptations, leadership contributions, and future challenges. The paper highlights the importance of creative adjustments by successive leaders and the need for better funding and a deeper relationship with the Security Council.

Conventional weapons, often fueled by illicit trade, cause the majority of battlefield deaths and are considered legitimate for self-defense. Despite the arms trade's profitability, arms control remains challenging. The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) aims to regulate, not eliminate, the trade, with a final negotiation set for March 2013

The EU External Action Service strengthens the Union’s ability to respond to crises, but its impact still depends on sharper leadership, better coordination and clearer institutional roles. The EU must translate that potential into more coherent, strategic and credible action abroad.

Explores the distinction between democracy and good governance in Africa, arguing that while they are not synonymous, both are essential for political systems promoting development. It highlights the need for democratic constitutions, political arrangements, and leadership focused on the people to overcome governance deficiencies.

This GGI Analysis examines the growing use of ransom payments in Somali piracy, analysing their legal and humanitarian dimensions, links to terrorist financing, and broader implications for international law, security policy, and counter-piracy strategies in fragile states.

Montenegro’s path to EU membership reflects clear political commitment and steady progress, but major reforms remain unresolved. Key challenges include strengthening minority rights, addressing regional disparities, and reforming the judiciary to uphold the rule of law.

Libya, after the 2011 uprising and the fall of its dictator, now faces challenges in establishing democracy and personal freedom. Key priorities include drafting a new constitution, security sector reform, strengthening rule of law, and implementing transitional justice, with significant international support needed for success.

Somali piracy, costing the global economy $7 billion annually, has led to large-scale naval operations by multiple powers. The Global Governance Institute recommends integrating shore and offshore efforts, emphasizing political stability and addressing root causes like poverty, with the EU's EUCAP Nestor operation seen as a potential starting point

The UN-EU partnership in peacekeeping, developed since the early 2000s, faces challenges despite shared goals. This analysis explores the partnership's evolution, successes, and tensions, particularly in Kosovo and Chad, and offers recommendations for a more effective and coherent collaboration in peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations.

This GGI Briefing analyses the EU’s 2012 decision to extend Operation ATALANTA's mandate onto Somali territory, finding it legally justified under international law but highlighting strategic risks, including pirate adaptation, relocation, and potential destabilisation, while stressing cautious implementation to enhance counter-piracy effectiveness.

Biological weapons pose a serious threat due to their ability to kill without immediate symptoms. The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) struggles to address bioterrorism, with limited tools to monitor life sciences advancements. Efforts to counter bioterrorism will need broader cooperation beyond the BWC, involving various global stakeholders.

The analysis advances a democratic justification for humanitarian intervention, arguing that protecting basic democratic rights reconciles human rights with collective self-determination, and that while military interventions may be permissible, targeted nonmilitary interventions often constitute moral duties under international law.

This GGI Briefing calls for a shift in climate-security policy, urging decision-makers to prioritize the proven human security impacts of climate change—such as extreme weather and food insecurity—over speculative links to violent conflict. It advocates stronger adaptation, resilience measures, and financial support for vulnerable populations, especially in developing countries.

In 2010, the UN created UN Women to strengthen gender equality efforts by consolidating four separate agencies. This reform aims to improve coordination and outreach. The Global Governance Institute is assessing UN Women's impact on global gender equality through a research project on its effectiveness and goals.

This publication analyses the ICC’s involvement in Kenya’s 2007–2008 post-election violence, highlighting the Court’s precedent-setting investigations, Kenya’s political and legal manoeuvres, and the broader implications for complementarity, civil society engagement, and the effectiveness of global mechanisms in advancing national justice.

Outlines the United Nations Peacebuilding Architecture (PBA), covering its creation, key mandates, functions, and interrelationships with other UN bodies, setting the stage for further research on the Peacebuilding Commission's successes, failures, and lessons learned.

Civilian operations within the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) have become a key foreign policy tool, focusing on areas like rule of law, civil administration, and crisis management. With growing demand, these operations highlight the EU's comparative advantage over NATO and the UN.

This GGI Analysis critiques the UNFCCC’s slow progress on climate finance and urges urgent reform to meet the needs of vulnerable countries. It advocates rethinking the global climate regime’s structure, calls for innovative funding sources, and stresses the importance of predictable, equitable, and transparent financial mechanisms for climate adaptation and mitigation.