Watch: The Global Cooperation Barometer 2026 press conference

The Global Cooperation Barometer 2026 finds that despite continued fragmentation, geopolitical tensions and increasing trade barriers, the level of overall global cooperation remains largely unchanged from previous years.

The traditional mechanics of multilateralism, however, are evolving. To adapt to consequential global transformations, cooperation today is more bespoke, more regional and more interest-based.

"Uncertainty and unpredictability are being fuelled by historic changes across several fronts," the report notes, adding that "in the face of strong headwinds, cooperation is still taking place, albeit in different forms than in the past."

In an exclusive media briefing that coincided with the release of the report, World Economic Forum President and CEO Børge Brende and McKinsey & Company Global Managing Partner Bob Sternfels examined the report’s insights and explored the latest geopolitical developments. The briefing was moderated by World Economic Forum Managing Director Sheba Crocker.

“Cooperation is like water,” Brende said. “If it sees it is being blocked, it just finds other ways because cooperation is a necessity, not a luxury.”

The barometer, now in its third edition, uses 41 metrics to assess the level of cooperation worldwide across five pillars: trade and capital, innovation and technology, climate and natural capital, health and wellness, and peace and security.

The analysis found that the level of cooperation around trade and health largely held steady while cooperation around innovation and climate increased. Cooperation around peace and security, however, continued to fall.

“Trade has not retreated, but it has changed,” said Sternfels, adding that trading partners have diversified and become more geopolitically aligned.

The report stressed that avenues of cooperation are shifting to favour more purpose-built coalitions.

Cooperation among smaller groups of countries, the report noted, has become more prevalent as governments seek increasingly pragmatic, flexible and interest-based partnerships. This approach to international cooperation is often referred to as minilateralism or plurilateralism.

“The paradox is that, at a time of such rapid change, developing new and innovative approaches to cooperation requires refocusing on some of the basics – notably, doubling down on dialogue,” the report noted.

The barometer was released ahead of the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2026, which will be held 19-23 January 2026 in Davos, Switzerland.

The event is being held under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue” and will welcome leaders from government, business, civil society and academia to engage in forward-looking discussions to address global issues and set priorities. Nearly 3,000 participants from around 130 countries are expected to attend.

“Cooperation cannot happen without dialogue,” Sternfels stated in the barometer media briefing.

Brende added that despite the geopolitical headwinds, “people still need to come together” and that cooperation can be spurred if “different players feel that they have enough common interest to agree.”