Why Global Solidarity is Not Optional

Talal Abu-Ghazaleh

The international community is entering a period of significant uncertainty as recent decisions by the United States to withdraw from 66 international organizations including 31 UN entities have created a moment of profound concern for global cooperation. This development raises urgent questions about the future of collective action and the protection of the most vulnerable populations. It also highlights the fragility of the structures that support shared responsibility and uphold the principles of international solidarity.
The consequences of these withdrawals are severe. Funding cuts to global humanitarian assistance and health programs are projected to result in nearly one million additional deaths each year according to research by the Center for Global Development. A study conducted by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health and partner institutions estimates that combined reductions in US and European aid could cause up to 22.6 million additional deaths by 2030, including more than 5 million children under the age of five. These figures represent not only a humanitarian crisis but also a failure to uphold long-standing commitments to global wellbeing.
The decision to disengage from agencies that support women and girls is particularly troubling. Organizations such as UN Women and the United Nations Population Fund provide essential services including maternal health care, legal protection and support for survivors of violence. The withdrawal of support from these institutions will deepen existing inequalities and expose women and girls to heightened risks of violence exploitation and exclusion.
This moment calls for a clear and principled response. It also invites reflection on my long-standing conviction in the importance of strong multilateral institutions, knowledge based development and ethical leadership. This offers a constructive path forward grounded in the belief that global crises must be met with innovation and collective action rather than isolation.
I have repeatedly said that global challenges cannot be addressed by any nation acting alone. I advocate for transparent and technology-enabled governance systems that strengthen public trust and enhance the effectiveness of international institutions. This approach is especially relevant today as misinformation and political polarization threaten to undermine confidence in multilateral frameworks. Digital transformation can support more accountable and inclusive global governance and reinforce the legitimacy of international organizations.
The present situation also underscores the need to protect and expand opportunities for women and girls. I have long argued that education is the cornerstone of human development and that empowering women is essential to building resilient societies. The number of girls out of school already stands at one hundred twenty two million worldwide and is expected to rise as support for education in fragile contexts declines. Ensuring access to education is not only a moral responsibility, but also a strategic investment in global stability.
Through my interactions in global commerce, there is still a clear sentiment favoring international cooperation in the corridors of global trade. The majority of firms and nations see global collaboration as essential for advancing trade, health, human rights and conflict prevention. This confidence reflects strong trust in institutions such as the UN, the WTO and the World Health Organization. It also underscores the need for renewed engagement to strengthen these institutions and uphold shared global responsibilities.
The withdrawal of a major power from key international bodies is a setback, but it does not diminish the global commitment to cooperation. It reinforces the need for all nations and institutions to uphold the values of solidarity and shared progress. Through global solidarity, we can ensure that no community is left behind as the world confronts complex and interconnected challenges, which I believe will only get more complex based on the global reality that lays ahead of us.