State power and multilateralism in development

Newly emerging powers and consultative forums must be recognised more as collaborators than competitors.

State power, or the capacity of a state to regulate behaviour and enforce order within its territory, is undergoing significant changes. In international relations, we are witnessing a progressive erosion of Westphalian sovereignty. This has implications for the security of a country as well as its development. For example, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) mark an era of development cooperation involving mutual accountability of independent states. Goal 16 of the SDGs is to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels ”.