With multilateralism in decline, what's next for the world?

In September 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to the United Nations headquarters in New York took a symbolic turn. As Trump arrived, the elevator malfunctioned and his teleprompter failed during his address, leading him to jokingly remark about the UN's issues. The UN, founded in 1945 to prevent wars and expanded to include global health, development and climate protection, is now facing scrutiny over its effectiveness.

Despite the broken equipment, opinions differ on Trump's role in the decline of multilateralism. Finnish President Alexander Stubb believes a new world order will emerge in the next five years, while Mark Leonard of the European Council on Foreign Relations sees a protracted adjustment period. Teresa Nogueira Pinto, an expert on globalization, asserts that multilateralism is failing, particularly in peacekeeping and peacebuilding missions.

Johannes Thimm of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs argues that international law remains diverse and vital, yet increasingly violated. He cites US withdrawals from various organizations and treaties, such as the World Health Organization and the Paris climate agreement, as threats to the multilateral order. Thimm contends that US actions pose a greater danger than Russia's aggression.

Trump's insistence on the Monroe Doctrine suggests a multipolar world order following the U.S.'s decline. Many African nations view this shift as an opportunity for repositioning and securing their place through alliances, forming the BRICS alliance to counterbalance Western-dominated international financial architecture.