Technology · Singapore Bureau
Small nations must deepen ties with firms, NGOs amid global fractures
As traditional multilateral cooperation weakens, smaller countries should pursue alternative partnerships with private companies and civil society groups to address shared challenges, according to Temasek chairman Teo Chee Hean.
LSN Singapore ·
Teo said on Wednesday that polylateral arrangements—collaborative frameworks involving multiple stakeholders beyond governments—could prove effective in tackling transnational issues where conventional multilateral institutions have struggled to deliver consensus.
The Temasek chairman highlighted artificial intelligence governance as a key area where such arrangements could bridge gaps left by fraying traditional diplomatic channels. As geopolitical tensions fragment global cooperation mechanisms, private sector expertise and non-governmental organisations can provide complementary pathways to establishing meaningful safeguards and standards, he suggested.
Small and medium-sized nations face particular pressure to adapt their engagement strategies in an increasingly fragmented international system, Teo noted. By building direct relationships with multinational corporations, technology firms, and established NGOs, smaller countries can amplify their influence on global issues and gain access to technical resources and policy expertise.
The comments underscore growing recognition among regional policymakers that traditional state-to-state diplomacy must be supplemented by broader coalition-building across sectors. Such partnerships could enable smaller nations to participate more meaningfully in shaping rules around emerging technologies and other cross-border challenges that affect their populations directly.