Morocco Hosts High-Level Conference in Stockholm on Future of Multilateralism

Stockholm, The Gulf Observer: The Residence of Morocco in Stockholm hosted a high-level conference on Thursday, bringing together more than 50 ambassadors and senior diplomats to examine the future of multilateralism amid a rapidly shifting global order.

Titled “Between the Multilateral and Multipolar World: The New Roles of Europe and the Global South,” the event was convened at the invitation of Morocco’s Ambassador to Sweden, Karim Medrek, who also chairs the Stockholm-based Group of Friends of Multilateralism.

In his opening remarks, Medrek reaffirmed that Morocco, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, remains committed to multilateral cooperation grounded in “active solidarity, inclusion and shared responsibility.” He highlighted that the international system is undergoing profound transformation, with emerging powers gaining influence while traditional cooperation mechanisms face increasing strain.

Calling for renewed collective engagement, Medrek emphasized the need to modernize global governance frameworks. He underscored the potential role of Europe—drawing on its experience in regional integration—and countries of the Global South in shaping a more balanced and inclusive international system. He also stressed the urgency of coordinated action on global challenges, including peace and security, trade, climate change, sustainable development, and health security.

The keynote address was delivered by former Latvian President Egils Levits, who described the current international environment as increasingly unpredictable. He pointed to a growing “crisis of trust” among nations, alongside rising geopolitical tensions and conflicts driven by territorial and political ambitions.

Levits noted that multilateral cooperation is weakening under mounting geopolitical pressures, leaving smaller and medium-sized countries particularly vulnerable to economic disparities. He also highlighted the impact of rapid technological advancements on global power dynamics. Despite these challenges, he maintained that multilateralism remains viable if it evolves to meet contemporary realities.

He advocated for stronger regional cooperation among like-minded countries as a means of maintaining stability, while emphasizing the continued importance of institutions such as the United Nations in addressing global challenges, albeit with necessary reforms.

Participants during the discussions stressed the importance of upholding international law as a cornerstone of stability in an increasingly fragmented world. They also highlighted Europe’s role and called for more balanced and equitable partnerships with countries of the Global South.

Levits further underscored the need to safeguard the principles of the UN Charter while acknowledging that the current global system must adapt to reflect evolving geopolitical realities.

The Group of Friends of Multilateralism in Stockholm, established in 2023, includes ambassadors from several countries such as Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, Greece, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, and Morocco, which spearheaded the initiative.

The conference comes at a time when global cooperation faces mounting pressure due to ongoing conflicts, economic competition, and climate-related challenges. According to the Global Peace Index 2025, there are currently 59 active state-based conflicts worldwide—the highest number since World War I.

Additionally, economic cooperation is showing signs of strain, with recent reports indicating a decline in global development aid ranging between 9 percent and 17 percent in 2025, as major donor countries scale back funding.