Opinion Pieces/Op-Eds

Gebze, Türkiye By Deodat Maharaj Earlier this month I attended the 2026 edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum hosted by Turkiye. It provided valuable object lessons on the importance of consolidating existing alliances, building new ones and the imperative of a new multilateralism. In an era defined by overlapping crises—from climate change and geopolitical tensions to widening inequalities and rapid technological disruption, the question is no…

By Deodat Maharaj Gebze, Türkiye Multilateralism as we know it is going through a seismic shift. Old alliances are being tested with clearly defined spheres of influence emerging. Whilst this represents a shock to the established world order, most wealthy countries will continue to fare well, though arguably with diminished geopolitical influence. However, the poorest and most vulnerable countries like the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and…

By Deodat Maharaj Gebze, Türkiye The drivers of economic growth, innovation, and societal change are no longer solely wealthy nation-states and global institutional actors, but increasingly the technology companies. The so-called “Magnificent Seven”—Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Meta, Tesla, and Alphabet (Google)—now dominate the global economy redefining traditional thinking of economic power and influence. By the end of 2025, these seven…

By Deodat Maharaj Gebze, Türkiye Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing our world. It has helped a few companies in developed countries set record-breaking profits. This week, Nvidia, a leading US AI company, hit a market value of USD5 trillion. Nvidia, together with the other six technology companies known as the Magnificent Seven, reached a market capitalisation of USD22 trillion. This value easily eclipses the combined GDP of the…

By Deodat Maharaj Gebze, Türkiye Artificial intelligence and the use of frontier technologies are already transforming trade and boosting prosperity, particularly for developed, and some developing countries. This ranges from digital exchange of documents, the digitalisation of trade processes and leveraging online platforms to fast-track cross-border trade. The rapid adoption of new technologies will further consolidate the dominance of world…

© Makarand2010 At the time of its independence in 1965, Singapore—a small state with no natural resources—had a nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of approximately USD 975 million, almost equal to that of Jamaica at that time. Since then, this country has become a global economic powerhouse. While Singapore has prospered, developing countries, especially the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) have struggled to reap the dividends of political…

©ITU/M. Jacobson-Gonzalez The 4 th International Conference on Financing for Development could catalyse coordinated action to close the financing gap and set the stage for a STI-driven transformation in the world’s poorest countries. The stark reality is that just over 250 weeks remain to go before the end of the decade, marking the endgame for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With less than a fifth of the Goals on track, the…

"It was the best of times; it was the worst of times." Charles Dickens is more relevant today than ever. The wealthy and powerful are meeting again this year in glamorous Davos, at an invitation-only event. They arrive in chartered aircraft and private jets to speak about our warming climate, among other global concerns. The super-rich, politicians and celebrities gather for the World Economic Forum's annual meeting at a time when global inequity…

©UNICEF/UN0202375/Dejongh Africa, the world’s youngest continent, is brimming with creativity, talent and innovation. With more than 60% of its population under the age of 25, Africa’s youth are fueling entrepreneurship and job creation across the region. Over the past five years, the number of businesses and start-ups has grown by 20% with 2021 seeing a record US$2.15 billion in tech investments. There are now more than 1,000 tech hubs across…

© Brent Stirton/Getty Images for FAO, CIRAD, CIFOR, WCS With just over 60 months left to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), more equitable access to science, technology and innovation may offer the most effective way to improve the lives of the people who are living in the world’s poorest countries. While there has been some progress during the last decade, less than a fifth of the SDGs are on track to be fully achieved. Global…