Global geopolitical shifts demand new national development strategies

The world is undergoing ten major transitions that are reshaping the rules of global development and requiring new national capabilities. A primary shift is the move from a unipolar world to one defined by intense competition between great powers, specifically the United States and China, across sectors such as technology, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, energy, and military influence. Other nations, including Russia, India, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, are also seeking to expand their strategic autonomy.

Economic patterns are also evolving. Global trade is transitioning from free trade to strategic trade, where tariffs and subsidies serve as tools for national security and geopolitical pressure. Furthermore, supply chains are shifting from a focus on pure efficiency to prioritizing resilience through practices like nearshoring and friendshoring. This includes a resurgence in industrial policy, with major powers subsidizing strategic sectors such as renewable energy, defense, and biotechnology. Finally, there is a growing emphasis on financial security, focusing on capital volatility, sanctions, and the risks of monetary dependency.