The multilateral order is in a state of crisis. States are increasingly reasserting sovereignty and contesting the legitimacy of international institutions. They are causing “gridlock” across many policy areas, such as climate change, public health or cyber, and blocking appointments of international officials and judges. They have been withdrawing from international institutions including the European Union (EU), UNESCO, International Criminal Court, and International Whaling Commission. And revisionist states, such as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS), feel that the status quo does not accurately reflect 21st century international politics with China pushing forward with its own institutions and the Belt and Road initiative. This paper analyses to what extent, and how, Europe has stepped up in defence of the rules-based global order since the publication of the EU Global Strategy in 2016. It assesses EU leadership in providing support for existing international institutions to make them more robust, reforming existing international institutions to make them better fit for purpose, and developing new institutions to continue cooperation in a contested global governance landscape. The paper highlights also the constraints that make it more difficult for Europe to step up in defence of the rules-based global order. The paper is based on interviews with key officials in Brussels and national capitals.
