TED Talks Daily Is inviting everyone to the meeting holding back global cooperation? | Qahir Dhanani
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Jan 8, 2026 
International affairs expert Qahir Dhanani advocates for a shift in global cooperation. He argues that broad invitations to negotiations often lead to bland results, stifling bold action. By focusing on smaller, action-oriented coalitions, public trust in institutions could be restored. Citing historical successes like credit card standards, he highlights innovative examples, such as the LEAF coalition for climate action, that demonstrate the power of diverse, committed groups tackling pressing challenges head-on.
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Everyday Infrastructure Depends On Cooperation
- Global technical standards (like passport machine-readable lines) show multilateral cooperation can produce seamless everyday infrastructure.
- Qahir Dhanani argues these successes prove cooperation still works when designed well.
Crisis Of Trust In Global Institutions
- Trust in international institutions is eroding because many see them as bureaucratic and ineffective.
- Dhanani says rebuilding trust requires rethinking how multilateralism operates rather than abandoning it.
Avoid Inviting Everyone To Start
- Stop insisting on inviting everyone to the meeting when solving complex global problems.
- Dhanani advises forming smaller, targeted groups to pursue bold, transformative outcomes quickly.