Publications

Pathways for Global Governance Transformation: Evidence from 15 Case Studies

Research Report

3.3.2026

Pathways for Global Governance Transformation: Evidence from 15 Case Studies

Despite global turmoil, states still want to cooperate - the question is how. What forms of global governance are currently at play and why this “variable geometry” has implications for our understanding of multilateralism.

Henning Schmidtke, Stephanie Hofmann

Beyond Rupture: Strategic Choices for the EU in an Era of Global Disorder

Policy Brief

26.2.2026

Beyond Rupture: Strategic Choices for the EU in an Era of Global Disorder

Amid renewed great-power rivalry and a fragmenting rules-based order, the EU faces mounting pressure to safeguard and transform multilateral governance. Based on 15 ENSURED case studies across six policy areas, this policy brief examines how the EU can position itself to sustain and reform multilateral institutions in a time of global disorder.

Act Now or Lose Momentum: Delivering on COP30’s Unfinished Climate–Biodiversity Agenda in 2026

climate and sustainability

Policy Brief

23.2.2026

Act Now or Lose Momentum: Delivering on COP30’s Unfinished Climate–Biodiversity Agenda in 2026

At COP30 in Brazil, Parties committed to advancing discussions on the synergies between the climate and biodiversity crises, but political divisions have stalled meaningful progress. As 2026 approaches, what concrete governance priorities should guide action?

Governing in Complexity: Assessing the Quality of Global Governance Across 15 Case Studies

Research Report

29.1.2026

Governing in Complexity: Assessing the Quality of Global Governance Across 15 Case Studies

In today's world, governance complexity has become the rule. Drawing on the 15 ENSURED case studies, this report explores growing governance complexity and its effect on international cooperation.

Henning Schmidtke, Stephanie Hofmann

Reforming Global Institutions in an Era of Geopolitical Strain: Evidence from 15 Case Studies

Research Report

15.1.2026

Reforming Global Institutions in an Era of Geopolitical Strain: Evidence from 15 Case Studies

Global governance is often described as being in crisis, yet demand for effective international cooperation has never been higher. Drawing on ENSURED's 15 case studies, this report asks: How can international institutions be transformed to address global challenges given the crisis of the rules-based international order?

Hylke Dijkstra

Robust, Effective, and Democratic Global Governance for a World in Transition: Evidence From the ENSURED Expert Survey

Research Report

17.12.2025

Robust, Effective, and Democratic Global Governance for a World in Transition: Evidence From the ENSURED Expert Survey

Based on the ENSURED Expert Survey, this report offers a global assessment of how 110 international organisations (IOs) are coping in today’s turbulent world.

Soetkin Verhaegen, Hylke Dijkstra, and Thomas Sommerer

Building Consensus Amid Growing Rivalry: Taking Stock of UN Cyberspace Governance

digitalisation

Policy Brief

15.12.2025

Building Consensus Amid Growing Rivalry: Taking Stock of UN Cyberspace Governance

Amid intensifying geopolitical rivalry, UN-led efforts to govern cyberspace remain essential – but also fragile. How can the UN’s Open-Ended Working Group and Internet Governance Forum be strengthened to deliver a global cyber governance framework?

Federica Marconi, Ettore Greco

Actorness in Different Shades? Comparing EU External Action Across Global Governance Institutions

EU foreign policy

Research Report

11.12.2025

Actorness in Different Shades? Comparing EU External Action Across Global Governance Institutions

How strong an international actor is the EU in a shifting geopolitical landscape? Findings show significant variation in actorness across policy areas and highlight that different forms of EU support matter for its influence in global governance.

Franziska Petri, Steven Blockmans, Edith Drieskens, Ceren Ergenc

Anchoring Global AI Governance: How the EU Can Leverage the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence

digitalisation

Policy Brief

8.12.2025

Anchoring Global AI Governance: How the EU Can Leverage the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence

As AI evolves faster than regulation, the Council of Europe’s new treaty offers a rare chance to anchor technology in democratic values. How can the EU turn this promise into global leadership on trustworthy, rights-based AI?

ENSURED’s Research and Findings

Pathways for Global Governance Transformation: Evidence from 15 Case Studies

Beyond Rupture: Strategic Choices for the EU in an Era of Global Disorder

Act Now or Lose Momentum: Delivering on COP30’s Unfinished Climate–Biodiversity Agenda in 2026

Governing in Complexity: Assessing the Quality of Global Governance Across 15 Case Studies

Reforming Global Institutions in an Era of Geopolitical Strain: Evidence from 15 Case Studies

Robust, Effective, and Democratic Global Governance for a World in Transition: Evidence From the ENSURED Expert Survey

Building Consensus Amid Growing Rivalry: Taking Stock of UN Cyberspace Governance

Actorness in Different Shades? Comparing EU External Action Across Global Governance Institutions

Anchoring Global AI Governance: How the EU Can Leverage the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence