A new report from the World Economic Forum (WEF) reveals that international collaboration is proving resilient but is transforming in the face of geopolitical tensions. Released on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, the Global Cooperation Barometer 2026 indicates that while overall cooperation levels have stayed broadly stable, their nature is undergoing a significant evolution.
Areas of Progress and Decline
The third edition of the barometer, which tracks 41 metrics across five key pillars, shows a mixed picture. Cooperation in climate and natural capital, along with innovation and technology, saw relatively strong increases. Notably, clean technology deployment reached record highs by mid-2025, fueled by greater financing and global supply chains.
The report highlights that China contributed two-thirds of the global growth in solar and wind capacity and electric vehicles, with other developing economies also accelerating their green transitions.
A Sharp Drop in Peace and Security
In stark contrast, the area of peace and security has suffered the most significant decline. All tracked metrics in this category have fallen below pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels. The WEF cites escalated conflicts, rising global military spending, and the faltering effectiveness of multilateral conflict resolution mechanisms as primary causes.
A sobering statistic underscores this trend: by the end of 2024, the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide hit a record 123 million.
The Call for Renewed Dialogue
The report concludes that global cooperation is evolving rather than retreating. It emphasizes that in a more complex and uncertain geopolitical context, leaders must prioritize rebuilding effective dialogue with partners to identify and advance shared interests.
"While cooperation today may look different than it did yesterday, collaborative approaches are essential to grow economies wisely, accelerate innovation responsibly and prepare for the challenges of a more uncertain era," said WEF President Borge Brende. The findings stress that open and constructive conversation is the critical pathway to addressing pressing economic, security, and environmental challenges.
