Multilateralism: The EU and the Philippines working together

In an era of geopolitical tensions, economic instability and climate challenges, the world stands at a crossroads. The post-World War II multilateral order, built on the principles of cooperation and respect of international law, is under unprecedented strain. Unilateralism and the erosion of trust in global institutions threaten to unravel the very systems designed to prevent conflict and foster collective progress.

Two pre-eminent global crises, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the war in the Middle East, reflect this erosion of international law. These crises showcase the side-stepping of the multilateral, rules-based international order and highlight an increasing trend shaped by geopolitical rivalry and coercive power politics, where great military powers seek to carve out their own spheres of influence.

During a recent speech at the annual UN Security Council session on EU-UN cooperation, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, said that “after the Second World War, important lessons were learnt. We recommitted to multilateralism with an understanding that the international system had to evolve as the world did. It had to have buy-in and legitimacy to work.“

The EU’s position is therefore clear. We believe, as stated by High Representative Kallas during her speech, that international cooperation based on the UN Charter benefits citizens everywhere in the world. It is the only international system that stands for peace, represents the global collective interest and protects international law.

At the same time, the system must continue to evolve, adapting existing rules to new challenges and launching new initiatives to remain relevant and effective in a changing global landscape. As the EU has its own long experience reforming, adjusting and transforming itself, it has learned that incremental steps eventually lead to transformative change. Improving processes, working on specific topics and increasing accountability are issues that should be prioritized in this regard. The EU will remain a predictable, reliable and credible partner as the UN is working on reforms to establish a system that works for all. Dialogues led by local communities, minorities, young people and women are central to this effort, as their inclusion contributes to sustainable peace.

This is why the EU and its member-states, despite comprising only five percent of the global population, provide 42 percent of Official Development Assistance, finance a quarter of the UN’s regular budget and actively support peacebuilding and normalization efforts both within the UN framework and in partnership with its like-minded partners. The EU continues to be a firm believer in the United Nations and its capacity for change.

The EU and the Philippines share a deep commitment to the rules-based international order, including in the maritime domain. The South China Sea remains a flashpoint, where unilateral actions can threaten regional stability. The EU and the Philippines have strengthened their partnership through a series of high-level engagements, jointly promoting maritime security and the primacy of UNCLOS, sending a clear signal that like-minded nations reject coercion and remain firmly committed to a rules-based order at sea.

As ASEAN chair in 2026, the Philippines has a critical role in shaping the bloc’s response to regional and global challenges. The EU, as a long-standing dialogue partner of ASEAN, sees the Philippine chairship as an opportunity to further deepen an already strong cooperation on shared priorities, including maritime security, climate action, economic resilience.

As indicated by High Representative Kallas, “our collective security, safety and prosperity are totally intertwined with what happens at sea. Maritime security underpins global communications, energy supply and economic development.” She also highlighted the need to increase international cooperation at sea, and she mentioned a possible multilateral agreement to establish legal certainty and develop the tools to address threats posed by sabotage of submarine cables and pipeline as a concrete example in this context.

The EU’s Global Gateway initiative, which is the European strategy to boost smart, clean and secure links across the world, shows how multilateralism can be put into practice. Unlike unilateral infrastructure projects that often come with strings attached, Global Gateway promotes transparent, sustainable and high-quality investments aligned with international standards. It is not just an economic strategy but a geopolitical commitment to strengthening a rules-based global order. For the Philippines, this means potential partnerships in renewable energy, digital connectivity and transport infrastructure, areas where European reliability and Filipino ambition can align for mutual benefit.

The EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), of which the Philippines is a beneficiary, further demonstrates how trade policy can be leveraged as a force for global good through economic incentives with broader developmental and ethical objectives. By rewarding compliance with universally recognized standards, the GSP+ embodies the principles of fairness that underpin effective multilateralism. Furthermore, the EU-Philippines Free Trade Agreement (FTA), currently under negotiation, reflects a shared commitment to building economic frameworks that are not only commercially beneficial but also equitable, inclusive and resilient against shocks.

By working together, the EU and the Philippines demonstrate that multilateralism is not something that was fit just for the past but is a necessity also for the future. Partners in multilateralism can show that cooperation and respect for international law remain the most effective way to navigate an uncertain world. From climate finance to digital infrastructure, from maritime security to justice, good governance and promotion of human rights, the EU and the Philippines have a shared interest in a world where rules govern international relations.

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Massimo Santoro is the Ambassador of the European Union to the Philippines.