In an era marked by the resurgence of great power competition, international institutions face unprecedented challenges as they attempt to adapt to an increasingly multipolar world. The ‘liberal’ norms of the international order are under growing pressure from both Western and non-Western states. This prompts an examination of how geopolitical shifts impact the landscape and conduct of international institutions. How do established institutions under the United Nations (UN) framework such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and other global actors such as the European Union (EU) react to these challenges? While these institutions are forced to confront both governance demands and contestations, non-Western states are also channeling their discontent into the establishment of altogether new organizations. What are the consequences of new forms of international cooperation, for the multilateral world order?
This workshop seeks to shed light on a number of these developments and their implications by bringing together perspectives from international law and international relations. A unifying thread runs through each panel: the evolving role of international institutions as they confront shifting global power dynamics. From the ICJ’s increasingly politicized advisory proceedings to international organizations grappling with crises and contestation, the panels examine how these institutions adapt or are reshaped in a world where authority is increasingly fragmented. The closing roundtable aims at reflecting on these shifting developments and asks whether international institutions can sustain their legitimacy and influence in a multipolar order.
The event features three panels, addressing roles of different international institutions, and a keynote speech by Professor Antony Anghie, followed by a roundtable with Professors Stephanie Hofmann (TBC), Monica Hakimi, Trine Flockhart, and Sarah Nouwen.