During a lecture in Stockholm on October 20, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam emphasized the need for “bridge builder” countries to facilitate a stable transition to a multipolar global order capable of addressing collective challenges like climate change and artificial intelligence safety. Speaking at the Stockholm School of Economics during his state visit to Sweden, Tharman warned that the decline of the previously unipolar world led by the United States does not guarantee the emergence of a cooperative multipolar system.
Instead, he suggested that the world is likely to experience increased suspicion, friction, conflicts, and the weaponization of trade and resources, leading to divided blocs. In this context, he underscored the importance of nations—regardless of their size—that can foster cooperation across regions, establish new rules, and take bold action on complex global issues.
Tharman pointed to Sweden as an example of a country that has built coalitions for global environmental health for over five decades. He also highlighted Singapore’s role in promoting dialogue between ASEAN and the European Union and amplifying the voices of small states at the United Nations.
Addressing climate change, Tharman stressed the need to present it as an immediate and tangible issue. He referenced surveys indicating that people are more motivated to support climate policies when they understand the direct impact on their health. He cited ongoing efforts in Southeast Asia to combat haze and Indonesia’s initiative to restore peatlands, which hold an estimated 28 billion tonnes of carbon—roughly twice the annual global emissions—as examples of measures with both short- and long-term benefits.
The president also acknowledged that domestic challenges, such as inequality and social disillusionment, hinder global cooperation. He called for renewed social compacts, particularly investments in quality public services and resource redistribution to address inequality. Tharman emphasized the government’s role in supporting workers and communities affected by technological disruptions, cautioning that markets alone are often insufficient to resolve such issues promptly.
On the international stage, Tharman highlighted that any sustainable global order must include both the United States and China, given their economic size, innovation capacities, and significant roles in carbon emissions. While he noted that the U.S. may not resume previous levels of global leadership, public opinion there remains broadly supportive of international cooperation, citing a Rockefeller Foundation survey where two-thirds of Americans favored cooperation even if it required some compromise on national interests.
Regarding China, Tharman suggested that ongoing domestic reforms aim to shift the country toward greater internal demand, which is necessary for sustaining its role as a major global supplier. He emphasized the importance of avoiding a bifurcation between the U.S. and China, advocating for the preservation of overlapping economic networks and supply chains that benefit both parties.
Tharman concluded that well-managed interdependence between the U.S. and China could foster prosperity, peace, and stability worldwide. Conversely, he warned that decoupling in areas such as artificial intelligence, technology, supply chains, and payment systems could lead to a more dangerous global environment.