Former Swedish Prime Minister warns of geopolitical risks

Carl Bildt, the former Prime Minister of Sweden, has warned delegates at the 2024 FERMA Forum that the world is facing a complex geopolitical landscape, highlighting the shifting dynamics facing Europe and the world today.  

He began by acknowledging Europe’s significant achievements in prosperity, security, and freedom, contrasting this with the growing turmoil and mounting global challenges in recent years. Bildt reminded delegates that the once stable geopolitical environment has deteriorated into one marked by instability and anxiety. 

Citing historical milestones, Bildt explained that the foundations laid after the turbulent first half of the 20th century have given way to a new era characterised by a variety of risks, both old and new. He pointed to concerns in the United States about its declining global influence, alongside rising powers like China. He noted that China’s perception of historical injustices fuels its current assertiveness, which, Bildt warned, could lead to overreach and miscalculation.

Bildt also addressed Russia’s aggression, driven by insecurities about its decline and fear of regime change. The war in Ukraine, he said, symbolises broader regional tensions with implications that extend beyond Europe, particularly in the Middle East and Africa, where unresolved conflicts and humanitarian crises complicate the geopolitical landscape.

He emphasised the rising political instability worldwide, mentioning regions like Sudan, where millions are displaced amid chaos. Against this backdrop, Bildt highlighted global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and migration, stressing the need for coordinated international responses—efforts currently hindered by geopolitical tensions.

Reflecting on the impact of COVID-19, Bildt underscored the potential threat posed by future pandemics, particularly one as infectious as COVID-19 but far deadlier. He emphasised the urgency for better global preparedness, while conveying a brim assessment of the world’s current state of readiness.

Climate change, he noted, is an undeniable reality, with extreme weather events becoming increasingly common and detrimental to societies and economies. He warned of the urgent need for a transition away from fossil fuels as the world prepares for COP 29, emphasising that failure to respond collectively poses significant risks, including the potential of reaching critical tipping points that could drastically alter conditions worldwide. 

FERMA Forum Today is in partnership with Captive Review, part of Newton Media.

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