Global co-operation to address peace and security has nosedived in the past decade, a new report says, as many governments struggle to see eye-to-eye on how to resolve the greatest conflicts we face.
From Ukraine to Sudan and the wars in the Middle East, there has been a lack of collaboration and few peaceful outcomes, according to a study released before the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos.
Co-operation on peace and security was lower than any point since 2012, with 122 million people displaced, the second edition of the Global Cooperation Barometer released by the forum and McKinsey found.
That dragged down the overall co-operation barometer to stagnate after trending positively for a decade and surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Along with peace and security, it also looks at four other pillars: trade and capital, innovation and technology, climate and natural capital, and health and wellness.
global managing partner, McKinsey
Børge Brende, president of the World Economic Forum, said the barometer was published at a moment of “great global instability and at a time when many new governments are developing agendas for the year, and their terms, ahead”.
With high levels of electoral discontent and geopolitical rivalry, co-operation is “essential to address crucial economic, environmental and technological challenges”.
Joint work on climate and natural capital was a rare green shoot in the report, although its authors said urgent action is needed in the push towards net-zero targets.
“We've reduced the emissions intensity of GDP, largely driven by upticks in EV [electric vehicle] deployment and renewable energy. And that's something to celebrate,” said Bob Sternfels, global managing partner at McKinsey & Company, on a media call.
“But there's also the recognition that less than 10 per cent of the low emissions technologies required to hit net zero by 2050 have been deployed.”
Despite global security crises, the new findings suggest collaboration continues in important areas such as vaccine distribution, scientific research and renewable energy development – offering models for co-operation.
The report said that although there is geopolitical competition for frontier technologies such as semiconductors, “overall global co-operation on technology and innovation advanced in 2023, in part due to digitisation of the global economy”.
There has been a strong increase in the supply of critical minerals, and a related drop in the price of lithium batteries, to the benefit of manufacturers and consumers of goods such as electric cars. But the rapid disruption from artificial intelligence is reshaping the global landscape, raising the prospect of an “AI arms race”.
On the global economy, Mr Sternfels said “that foreign direct investment actually increased and it grew faster than GDP in 2023. And you might say that's a good thing”.
But co-operation on cross-border research and development, including pharmaceutical R&D, was down 15 per cent, which he said should serve as a warning sign.
“You further see the lack of co-operation around pandemics,” he said. “You start to get worried about a future aspect of how do we innovate around co-operation and health and wellness? And we call out a risk there.”
Mr Sternfels also spoke of a “lack of multilateral institutions being effective to navigate these”. In the past year, the UN and its agencies have been tested by a hostile Israel and United States. The Israeli campaign to defund UNRWA left the agency unable to function properly, while there have been Israeli attacks on UN aid convoys. UN agencies and staff have also been denied access, attacked and killed in conflict areas.
Complex political entanglements aside, governments should be able to work together on clear-cut problems, Mr Brende said.
“Cyber crime cost the world $2 trillion a year. There should be enough common interest to collaborate – even in a competitive world.”
Donald Trump will be sworn in as the US President on the eve of the Davos forum on January 20 and his second term is expected to loom large over debates throughout the week-long event.
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Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
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Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
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Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
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United States beat UAE by three wickets
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UAE v Scotland – no result
United States beat UAE by 98 runs
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Fixtures
Sunday, 10am, ICC Academy, Dubai - UAE v Scotland
Admission is free
Five healthy carbs and how to eat them
Brown rice: consume an amount that fits in the palm of your hand
Non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli: consume raw or at low temperatures, and don’t reheat
Oatmeal: look out for pure whole oat grains or kernels, which are locally grown and packaged; avoid those that have travelled from afar
Fruit: a medium bowl a day and no more, and never fruit juices
Lentils and lentil pasta: soak these well and cook them at a low temperature; refrain from eating highly processed pasta variants
Courtesy Roma Megchiani, functional nutritionist at Dubai’s 77 Veggie Boutique
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THE BIO
Ambition: To create awareness among young about people with disabilities and make the world a more inclusive place
Job Title: Human resources administrator, Expo 2020 Dubai
First jobs: Co-ordinator with Magrudy Enterprises; HR coordinator at Jumeirah Group
Entrepreneur: Started his own graphic design business
Favourite singer: Avril Lavigne
Favourite travel destination: Germany and Saudi Arabia
Family: Six sisters
