Japan warns of global risks

As we embark on 2026, humanity faces a critical juncture. International law and humanitarian principles, diligently built over a century, now face the unsettling reality of their very foundations being threatened. The global landscape is complex and volatile, marked by unilateral attempts to alter the status quo by force, erosion of the rule of law, reliance on coercion over dialogue, and widening geopolitical divides. Thus, diplomacy must be reaffirmed as the only sustainable path to peace and stability.

Beyond geopolitics, escalating climate change, cyber threats, disinformation, and the destabilizing potential of non-state actors continue to threaten societal stability and trust. Concurrently, rapid technological advancements, especially in AI, offer immense opportunities, yet their development must be responsibly guided to address ethical concerns, privacy, and potential misuse, such as in autonomous weapon systems. Faced with these multifaceted and transnational issues, it is clear that no single nation can address them alone; robust international cooperation and multilateralism are therefore indispensable frameworks for collective action.

Open and inclusive global economic systems, fostering equitable growth, are necessary. While geopolitical pressures necessitate supply chain reorientations, upholding free trade principles remains vital. These shifts must strengthen, not undermine, the foundations of an open global economy, ensuring exchange and innovation thrive.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), unanimously adopted at the UN in 2015, powerfully testify to humanity’s capacity for collective ambition. Though their 2030 achievement faces challenges, these foundational goals must not be discarded. Their critical state makes their principles even more vital, urging us to recall this spirit of unity and transform pledges into tangible action.

Against this backdrop, Bahrain, a champion of international law and peaceful coexistence, stands as a reliable partner, now serving at the UN Security Council. Japan remains resolute in its commitment to a rules-based international order, dialogue, and multilateralism. This stems from its profound dedication to peace and consistent efforts to uphold the rule of law at every level. Japan has also long provided development cooperation genuinely tailored to the needs of its partners. Through such concerted, mutually respectful efforts, we must collectively forge a future where peace and prosperity prevail for all.