Global Business Forum kicks off in Banff, Alta. under theme ‘thriving in chaos’

New York - The Doha Forum has released its Future of International Cooperation Report 2026, advocating for heightened efforts to restore trust in global institutions and enhance collaboration amid escalating geopolitical tensions. The report, titled "Redefining Global Trust" and published during the UN General Assembly's 81st session, was co-produced by the Doha Forum, the Stimson Center, the Global Governance Innovation Network, and the Global Studies Institute at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, with the International Peace Institute acting as a launch partner.

The fourth edition of the report scrutinizes mounting trust deficits in politics, diplomacy, the economy, technology, security, and justice. It argues that dwindling confidence in institutions and heightened geopolitical instability necessitate reforms in international leadership and the establishment of stronger institutions, coupled with stricter adherence to international norms.

Key proposals include the formation of a multilateral Information Integrity Council to combat misinformation and disinformation, the creation of a global artificial intelligence center and shared computing infrastructure to mitigate disparities in AI technology access, and UN counter-terrorism reforms aimed at bolstering human rights protections. Regionally, it suggests an interregional network for early warning and preventive diplomacy, deeper trade agreements, and more robust mechanisms for enforcing security protocols.

The report's recommendations come in the wake of anticipated changes in the international landscape, including the appointment of a new UN secretary-general in January 2027 and deliberations on the development agenda beyond 2030. Mubarak bin Ajlan Al Kuwari, Doha Forum's executive director, emphasized that trust is continuously evolving rather than vanishing, offering practical solutions to address misinformation, injustice, and promote cooperation for a safer world.

Rachel Stohl, the Stimson Center's acting president and chief executive, noted the report's strategies for bridging widening trust gaps, such as advancing information integrity and ensuring equitable AI access. Prince Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, president and chief executive of the International Peace Institute, pointed out a 60% decrease in UN peacekeeping deployments since their peak a decade ago, despite growing demands for crisis prevention.

The report was unveiled alongside a high-level forum discussing "Redefining Global Trust," convening policymakers, scholars, and civil society representatives to discuss the report's insights and their impact on international cooperation. The Doha Forum 2026, set for December 5-6 in Doha, will further explore these themes under the banner "Redefining Global Trust," contributing to broader conversations leading up to the Sustainable Development Goals Summit in September 2027 and discussions on the post-2030 development agenda.