Reforms in Multilateral Institutions and The Challenges of Maintaining a Rule-Based International Order Amid Geopolitical Shifts
1. Introduction to Multilateral Institutions and the Rule-Based International Order Multilateral Institutions Multilateral institutions are international organizations or frameworks that involve multiple countries working together to address global issues, promote cooperation, and establish norms and rules for international behavior. Examples include the United Nations (UN), World Trade Organization (WTO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and regional organizations like the European Union (EU) or the African Union (AU). These institutions are founded on the principle of “multilateralism”, which emphasizes collective action, shared responsibilities, and adherence to agreed-upon rules to manage global challenges such as security, trade, human rights, and environmental issues. The key features of Multilateral Institutions included collective decision-making, norms and rules, global public goods, institutional structure, am...