Changing World Dialogue Webinar

“In a rapidly changing world, understanding not just what is happening, but why it matters for global governance, is more important than ever,” opened GSI Fellow Colin Bradford as he welcomed participants to the latest plenary of the Changing World Dialogue (CWD) on January 22, 2026. Two dozen thought leaders from ten G20 countries joined the session, including GSI Founding President Dennis Snower and Paul Samson, President of the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI). The discussion offered a rare opportunity to take stock of the evolving international landscape and exchange perspectives on the challenges and opportunities ahead.

The discussion was kicked off by its a lead presentation from Yves Tiberghien (Taipei School of Economics and Political Science), and inputs from Dennis Snower (GSI), Louis Pauly (University of Toronto), Susan Thornton (Yale Law School), and Henry Huiyao Wang (Centre for China and Globalization, CCG). The conversation drew on the outcomes of the South Africa T20 Summit and the G20 Leaders’ Summit. Participants debated the evolving state of US–China relations, which many agreed are temporarily on “pause.” While some suggested that the US-led rules-based order may be coming to an end, others saw it evolving into a new configuration. Across the board, attendees highlighted that middle powers are increasingly asserting themselves, exploring new avenues for multilateral cooperation and shaping global decision-making in creative ways.

Beyond bilateral tensions, the discussion illuminated broader trends shaping the international system. These included emerging regional leadership, new frameworks for cross-border collaboration, and the growing importance of inclusive dialogue mechanisms for addressing complex global challenges. As one participant noted, “Understanding these shifts is critical not only for anticipating policy changes, but for finding pathways to strengthen cooperation before crises emerge.”

Key Insights

• US–China dynamics: Temporarily less central, yet developments remain closely watched.

• Shifting alliances: Middle powers are acting more independently, reshaping decision-making landscapes.

• Rules-based order: Transitioning rather than collapsing, requiring adaptive approaches to governance.

• Dialogue as leverage: Platforms like the CWD allow participants to exchange ideas, surface risks, and collaboratively explore solutions.

The CWD, a GSI-affiliated initiative, exemplifies the institute’s role as a bridge between regions and perspectives. By convening diverse voices from multiple countries and institutions, it provides a space where ideas can be tested, debated, and refined. Many participants are part of GSI’s network and contributors to the Think20 process, ensuring that insights are shared across borders and inform broader policy discussions. In this way, the dialogue demonstrates GSI’s value not only as a convener but also as a connector, fostering trust, broadening networks, and surfacing ideas that might otherwise remain siloed.

The webinar also highlighted the practical importance of such exchanges. By engaging with a wide range of perspectives, participants gained a richer understanding of how alliances, priorities, and governance approaches are evolving. The discussion underscored that multilateralism thrives when diverse voices can engage openly and collaboratively — offering both a map of emerging risks and a platform for innovative solutions.

As global governance navigates uncertainty, platforms like the CWD remain vital. They bring together leaders, thinkers, and institutions, fostering dialogue that deepens understanding, informs decision-making, and strengthens connections across regions. In doing so, GSI continues to provide a trusted forum for insight, reflection, and collaboration — helping shape approaches to multilateral governance that are resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking.

The CWD is planning further plenary session in late February to discuss UN reform and principles, and may holf in-person gatherings in Washington DC during the Spring Meetings mid April, in Beijing during CCG´s China and Globalization Forum end of April, and in Berlin at the occasion of the Global Solutions Summit (GSS) in June.