Wang Huiyao: Alliances like Nato out of touch with world in need of human security

SCMP | August 05 , 2024

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From SCMP， 2024-8-2

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■ In an era where climate change, food and energy security and poverty top the agenda, military-focused alliances are not fit for purpose.

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By Wang Huiyao | Founder of the Center for China and Globalization(CCG)

 

In an era of increasing global interdependence, the traditional focus on ensuring security through military-focused alliances is no longer sufficient to address today’s global challenges.

While recent Nato summits have reaffirmed the strength of such alliances, they have also highlighted their limitations in tackling 21st-century threats. There is an urgent need to shift towards prioritising human security, a concept that encompasses climate change, food security, energy and poverty alleviation.

Nato’s potential expansion into the Indo-Pacific region through countries such as Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand raises questions about the role of such alliances in today’s interconnected world. This move reflects a security approach that might not be fit for purpose given current global dynamics.

While the transatlantic alliance has embraced more political and economic approaches alongside military considerations, the effectiveness of these strategies in promoting peace and development is debatable. These approaches run the risk of unintentionally fuelling regional tensions and call for a re-evaluation of traditional security alliances’ long-term impact on global human security.

The emphasis on national security often overshadows pressing global issues such as economic globalisation and effective climate governance. Global cooperation in these areas will benefit both developed and developing nations. In this context, efforts such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and Belt and Road Initiative aim to address these global challenges while offering potential mutual benefits.

A key consideration in the current global context is balancing national and human security. Promoting human security can serve national interests as well. This balance involves advancing domestic development, addressing other nations’ concerns and participating in international cooperation.

The 2020s have witnessed the rise of human security threats in climate, food, energy and poverty. These interconnected crises demand collective action as no country can effectively address them on its own.

The Covid-19 pandemic and regional conflicts have disrupted global supply chains, further complicating the global landscape and contributing to energy crises. Energy has become increasingly politicised, leading to misalignments between resources and consumption, as well as capital and demand.

Sanctions on Russian energy exports during its invasion of Ukraine have affected both Russia and western Europe, resulting in elevated energy prices. As a result, some countries have delayed their low-carbon commitments and returned to investing in fossil fuels, potentially exacerbating climate issues.

The effects of climate change continue to intensify. Last year was reportedly the warmest on record, with rising sea levels and melting glaciers posing threats globally.

A report released in January by the World Economic Forum and Oliver Wyman projects dire health consequences from climate change by 2050, including as many as 14.5 million additional deaths and US$12.5 trillion in economic losses. It also estimates an addition US$1.1 trillion in extra costs to global healthcare systems. These stark figures underline the urgency of addressing climate change as a critical component of human security.

Meanwhile, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has contributed to a global food crisis. Both sides are major grain producers who have reduced exports amid the conflict. Combined with the pandemic and climate crisis, the war in Ukraine has sustained high food prices and exacerbated global hunger.

The United Nations’ 2023 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report shows that between 691 million and 783 million people faced hunger worldwide in 2022, an increase of 122 million hungry people since 2019. In addition, 2.4 billion people worldwide – almost 30 per of the world’s population – lacked consistent access to food, with about 900 million facing severe food insecurity.

The compound crises of climate and food security have raised living costs and driven up homelessness, making poverty alleviation an even more critical focus. According to UN figures released last year, 1.1 billion people remain in poverty, with children in poverty accounting for half that figure.

This increase in global poverty not only undermines individual well-being but also poses risks to social stability and security. However, the United Nations offers reasons for optimism and notes that poverty reduction is achievable provided there is robust global cooperation and increased assistance from developed countries.

Infrastructure security is another critical global challenge. Significant deficits, especially in developing regions, threaten economic growth and human security. Collaboration between the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and institutions such as the World Bank could significantly enhance efforts to bridge global infrastructure gaps, contributing to sustainable development and global resilience.

In conclusion, global development trends must prioritise human security alongside traditional national security concerns. The upcoming UN Summit of the Future in September offers a crucial platform for reaffirming multilateralism and UN Charter principles. Unlike traditional security alliances, this form of international dialogue and cooperation is better equipped to address the complex issues facing the world today and provide an opportunity for countries to collaborate on new challenges while rebuilding trust in global institutions.

We must address pressing global challenges and prepare for a more resilient future. This includes developing effective multilateral solutions to accelerate the delivery of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, tackle climate change with concrete action and navigate the complexities of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Priority should be given to global food security and poverty reduction as fundamental aspects of human security. Only by shifting our focus from narrow national interests to this more comprehensive view of human security can we create a world that is safer, sustainable and more equitable.

 

From SCMP， 2024-8-2