Minilateralism's necessary riseForeign ministers from India, Egypt, South Africa, China, Russia, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Iran during a Brics meeting in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, in this file photo dated June 10, 2024. Within the "rules-based order", at the heart of which lies the United Nations, cooperation was operationalised through regular engagement, leading to incremental gains. But this institutional approach to cooperation has broken down in recent years, as institutions have proven incapable of responding effectively to states' evolving needs. Under a "minilateral" approach, like-minded countries form issue-based coalitions, often outside the UN system. At a time when the institutional approach to international order is breaking down, the minilateral approach holds much promise, despite its imperfections.

Source: Bangkok Post February 22, 2026 22:13 UTC