Diplomacy key to global management: Ambassador Alastair Long

The world is changing rapidly. I would cite three changes in particular. First, the most rapid advancement ever seen of in both technological development and access to that technology. Second, the continuing climatic changes to our planet with their destructive consequences. Third, the emergence of a multi-polar world. All three invite humanity to embrace the opportunity that they might present - tech enablement of inclusive and sustainable growth and prosperity - but come with major risks and challenges. Navigating these and trying to pick the pathways for human progress is the role of diplomacy.

In the UK - a top ten global economy, the global financial centre, and global leader in green transition - we would welcome a distributed global economy in which wealth, prosperity and opportunity is more evenly shared, but we continue to underline the essential need for a rules-based system to underpin that. It is no secret that this is under threat. People, mistakenly in my view, blame the institutions and rules developed in the post war years, criticising the UN, WTO, Geneva Conventions etc. But those institutions are only as good as their members, treaties only effective if implemented. Were they to be removed we would need to reinvent them. They should be our guarantee that we never repeat the dark episodes of the past. They should enable every UN nation, regardless of size or strength, to live free of fear and thrive. A world in which growth and prosperity is more evenly spread and shared is within reach. The progress in eliminating poverty in the last few decades has been remarkable. But in 2026 we need to recommit to the rules.

My top tip (risky as this is) for 2026 is don’t expect A.I. to take over but do start using it or you will be left behind. I expect it not to curtail human attainment but let us rise to new levels of endeavour, creativity, and collaboration. But we shouldn’t lose the old skills. Perhaps it shows my age, but I still feel we need to invest in literacy, numeracy, and the arts. Not least for our mental wellbeing.

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Daily Tribune)