Council of Councils (CoC) Releases 2015-2016 Report Card on International Cooperation

"2015 International Cooperation Received a B Grade"

Global Think Tank Leaders Evaluate Major International Issues

May 17, 2015 — "What was the assessment of global think tanks specializing in foreign policy and security regarding major international issues in 2015?"

The Council of Councils (CoC) annually collects opinions from leaders of major think tanks worldwide to publish a "Report Card on International Cooperation". The report card released this time indicates that international cooperation has generally improved regarding various threats, including global conflicts and disputes. However, responses to terrorism and violent conflict did not receive high marks. The Council of Councils comprises leading foreign policy and security research think tanks from around the world and was established under the initiative of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in the United States. The East Asia Institute (EAI, President Lee Sook-jong) participates as a founding member representing South Korea.Report Card on International CooperationThe performance report indicates that international cooperation has generally improved in response to various threats, including global conflicts and disputes. However, activities addressing terrorism and violent conflict did not receive high marks. The Council onthink Tanks (CoC) comprises leading foreign policy and security think tanks from around the world and was established under the initiative of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in the United States. The East Asia Institute (EAI), led by President Lee Sook-jong, participates as a founding member of the CoC, representing Korea.

The 2015 Report Card on International Cooperation was compiled by gathering assessments from the leaders of CoC member institutions on major international issues. A total of 10 issues were selected, and evaluations were conducted for each issue from the perspective of international community's response and cooperation.

• Climate Change Management and Response: A

• Nuclear Non-Proliferation: A-

• Development Promotion: B+

• Global Health Improvement: B+

• Global Trade Expansion: B

• Global Economic Governance: B-

• Cyber Governance: B-

• Prevention and Response to Interstate Armed Conflict: C

• Countering Transnational Terrorism: C-

• Prevention and Response to Intrastate Violent Conflict: C-

Compared to the 2014 Report Card on International Cooperation, which generally received grades of C to C+, 2015 showed improvement in most areas. Nine out of ten issues received slightly higher scores than the previous year, with an average grade of "B".

Seven issues received a grade of "B-" or higher, but the overall score was lowered due to a lack of progress in managing terrorism and intrastate conflicts. Richard N. Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), cited the Syrian crisis as the biggest failure of international cooperation in 2015. He stated, "The international community's failure to end the Syrian civil war resulted in a massive influx of refugees from the Middle East to Europe."

Terrorism and the Syrian Crisis

Leaders of global think tanks also agreed that the international community's joint efforts and cooperation were insufficient in three areas in 2015. Terrorism, interstate wars, and intrastate armed conflicts remain unresolved and will continue to be major sources of instability in 2016. Chen Dongxiao, President of the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, pointed out, "The Syrian crisis has caused significant problems that extend beyond the region to adjacent areas." EAI President Lee Sook-jong further warned of the possibility that "transnational terrorism could worsen if the Syrian crisis remains unresolved and continues."

Climate Change and the Paris Agreement

On December 12, 2015, the world adopted the "Paris Agreement" by consensus, establishing a new climate regime to succeed the Kyoto Protocol. This marked a significant achievement for the international community, demonstrating unified efforts on climate change. While the Paris conference was not a perfect agreement, Volker Perthes, Director of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, assessed it as "a diplomatic success story that opens a new chapter, with 195 countries adopting the Paris Agreement by consensus." In response, EAI President Lee Sook-jong emphasized the obligations of developed countries regarding climate change, while cautiously noting, "Although the Paris Agreement was achieved, there are still challenges to overcome. Especially considering the global economic downturn, we cannot be overly optimistic about the costs associated with climate change response."