The world needs a global response to a global crisis 

A call for leadership by launching new international cooperation aimed at restarting global approaches

By Rainer Ohler 

It was eye-opening: When connecting to our regular Senior Strategist’s Zoom, we all expected to hear different stories from each of our partners in Austria, England, France, Germany and Scotland. We did indeed learn about different numbers and situations, as each country grappled with the COVID-19 outbreak. But everywhere we saw the same or very similar challenges, dilemmas and questions. Even the government communication and the tone from the top converged as the weeks went by. Only the general crisis approach remained unchanged from day one: strictly national - everywhere. National approaches to a global pandemic?  

Covid-19 threatens life, health and safety, the very core of national responsibilities. Unexpecting, unprepared and uncoordinated as we were, it was probably natural to revert back to national approaches. But it has given legitimacy to my-country-first populism, nationalism and protectionism that has already been a major trend for a number of years. 

Now we are in a global health and a global economic crisis. The combination of the two can easily trigger an even bigger crisis situation with devastation from increased global poverty, migration and conflicts. None of our national approaches will ever produce workable solutions for any of this.

For years, nationalists in powerful countries have been working hard to derail international law, global cooperation and European integration. If, when and how they will revert back to constructive, solution-oriented policies, nobody knows. But we will never get there if those who believe in the value of international cooperation don’t launch the first steps to restart building global approaches. 

We should start by not accepting deglobalization as a reality. The world can’t feed more than seven billion people without globalization. Secondly, companies have long understood that crisis resilience is a function of agility and information management. Thus, companies might adapt some safety and security critical supply policies but won’t want to give up their global supply chains as they provide efficiency, effectiveness and customer proximity. That alone creates the need for global political action. 

Hence, it is time for CEOs to speak up about this reality and demand political action. CEOs, with a few exemptions, have been out of the public debate during the crisis. It is now time for them to reach out publicly making the case for globalization and international cooperation.  

There is a lot of political action that could make a difference now: If the G8 and G20 are unable to come together for joint action, maybe new international groupings and new alliances have to be formed. If the WHO needs money and reform, let’s give it financing and reform initiatives. If the WTO after 25 years of existence is no longer workable, what are alternative solutions we can find and present to ease trade and boost fairness? 

Even closer to home is the EU. Its reputation suffered dramatically when member states implemented intra single market export limitations for medical equipment, separated people by closing borders and blamed Brussels for providing no help. The EU needs honesty. First by member states politicians - they must stop blaming Brussels. And the EU must be honest: people in all member states expect it to take action and focus on impact. France and Germany being ready to jointly providing leadership again, is the best news we have seen in a long time.  

Maybe best to start with the obvious: cooperation must again be seen as more profitable than pure political and economic rivalry. Imagine a new initiative for new international cooperation. The EU and some governments outside the EU could jointly set ambitious but realistic post-COVID targets as well as policies, financing and action plans to modernize infrastructure, boost digitalization and education and protect the environment. When done right, it could trigger a new and lasting momentum for economic development. And it would pave the way to renewed confidence to work together for global solutions to global challenges.