nprecedented change” is something we talk about a lot. But wow, 2025 was a doozy. Across geopolitics, technology, climate, governance, capitalism and democracy there was a lot of change. Much of this was confusing and, for many of us, scary. Although the short–term looks perilous, this new year article is about governance silver linings—positive things that quietly developed in 2025 and that we need to continue to nurture into 2026 and beyond.
Let’s get started.
- On Sustainability Governance: While “ESG” went further underground, it quietly became strategic
Populist pushback on programs related to ESG and DEI was turbocharged through 2025, getting noisier as these become increasingly politicized issues, in the U.S. most visibly but the effects are global. Despite the noise, most businesses follow the quieter “signal” that ESG practices provide long–term resilience and success by developing a more strategic ESG formulation embedded in strategy, risk, and governance.
- On Geopolitical Governance: While U.S. allies were rattled, many will emerge stronger
There were deeply disturbing geopolitical disruptions in 2025, from aid to trade to security. The dismantling of USAID could, according to recent analysis, lead to over 14 million deaths worldwide by 2030. The recently released U.S. National Security Strategy did little to quiet concerns about U.S. commitment to NATO. Longstanding trade and intelligence relationships are strained. There is no silver lining to the loss of life. A silver lining to this general geopolitical shift is that many allies who historically relied on the U.S., especially in Europe, are working to become stronger and more self–sufficient. This could augur well for mitigating future conflict.
- On Climate Governance: While global efforts have suffered, climate tech and local efforts got stronger
While socioecological damage and degradation continue, more intersectoral and community–based collaborations are focusing on nature, biodiversity, and biomimicry. Moreover, the advanced state of technological progress on climate, planet, and space tech will—if allowed—help combat climate change in the future.
- On Democratic Governance: Authoritarianism continues to proliferate, but green shoots of re–democratization are also rising
Rule–of–law is under threat in many of our democracies, heightened by the accelerating volume and sophistication of disinformation. Yet pro–democracy movements are also gaining momentum globally, from civil protests in the U.S. to the recent and ongoing anti–corruption protests in Bulgaria to the collapse of a violently repressive regime in Nepal. While times are tough for democracy everywhere, these examples show that democracy is resilient. They also illustrate key actions for building more resilience: civic reengagement, community–based collaboration, and the obliteration of complacency.
- On Exponential Tech Governance: While the unleashing of exponential tech is troubling, it will lead to amazing solutions on large–scale planetary challenges
Global governance guardrails on exponential technologies are basically nonexistent, while regional and national guardrails are diverging but in most cases falling behind. For that, we can only hope for the success of those amongst us working overtime to ensure our digital future is fully human. In the near–term, some amazing new solutions (from health to environment) are already within reach.
- On Leadership Trust: While we have witnessed a steep rise in global corruption in the highest places, ethics and responsibility still mattered in 2025 and beyond
While leadership trust and ethics continue to be deeply challenged (and obliterated by some in a year of unprecedented global graft), we must proactively nurture the courage of our ethical convictions.
While fear is contagious so is courage so let’s practice contagious courage together into 2026 and beyond!
a global affairs media network
A global governance silver linings playbook for 2026
Image via Adobe Stock.
January 5, 2026
Heading into 2026, the geopolitical and global governance short–term outlooks look perilous. Yet many positive trends began to emerge over the year, which we need to continue to nurture into 2026 and beyond, writes Andrea Bonime–Blanc.
U
nprecedented change” is something we talk about a lot. But wow, 2025 was a doozy. Across geopolitics, technology, climate, governance, capitalism and democracy there was a lot of change. Much of this was confusing and, for many of us, scary. Although the short–term looks perilous, this new year article is about governance silver linings—positive things that quietly developed in 2025 and that we need to continue to nurture into 2026 and beyond.
Let’s get started.
- On Sustainability Governance: While “ESG” went further underground, it quietly became strategic
Populist pushback on programs related to ESG and DEI was turbocharged through 2025, getting noisier as these become increasingly politicized issues, in the U.S. most visibly but the effects are global. Despite the noise, most businesses follow the quieter “signal” that ESG practices provide long–term resilience and success by developing a more strategic ESG formulation embedded in strategy, risk, and governance.
- On Geopolitical Governance: While U.S. allies were rattled, many will emerge stronger
There were deeply disturbing geopolitical disruptions in 2025, from aid to trade to security. The dismantling of USAID could, according to recent analysis, lead to over 14 million deaths worldwide by 2030. The recently released U.S. National Security Strategy did little to quiet concerns about U.S. commitment to NATO. Longstanding trade and intelligence relationships are strained. There is no silver lining to the loss of life. A silver lining to this general geopolitical shift is that many allies who historically relied on the U.S., especially in Europe, are working to become stronger and more self–sufficient. This could augur well for mitigating future conflict.
- On Climate Governance: While global efforts have suffered, climate tech and local efforts got stronger
While socioecological damage and degradation continue, more intersectoral and community–based collaborations are focusing on nature, biodiversity, and biomimicry. Moreover, the advanced state of technological progress on climate, planet, and space tech will—if allowed—help combat climate change in the future.
- On Democratic Governance: Authoritarianism continues to proliferate, but green shoots of re–democratization are also rising
Rule–of–law is under threat in many of our democracies, heightened by the accelerating volume and sophistication of disinformation. Yet pro–democracy movements are also gaining momentum globally, from civil protests in the U.S. to the recent and ongoing anti–corruption protests in Bulgaria to the collapse of a violently repressive regime in Nepal. While times are tough for democracy everywhere, these examples show that democracy is resilient. They also illustrate key actions for building more resilience: civic reengagement, community–based collaboration, and the obliteration of complacency.
- On Exponential Tech Governance: While the unleashing of exponential tech is troubling, it will lead to amazing solutions on large–scale planetary challenges
Global governance guardrails on exponential technologies are basically nonexistent, while regional and national guardrails are diverging but in most cases falling behind. For that, we can only hope for the success of those amongst us working overtime to ensure our digital future is fully human. In the near–term, some amazing new solutions (from health to environment) are already within reach.
- On Leadership Trust: While we have witnessed a steep rise in global corruption in the highest places, ethics and responsibility still mattered in 2025 and beyond
While leadership trust and ethics continue to be deeply challenged (and obliterated by some in a year of unprecedented global graft), we must proactively nurture the courage of our ethical convictions.
While fear is contagious so is courage so let’s practice contagious courage together into 2026 and beyond!
