By Deodat Maharaj
Earlier this month I attended the 2026 edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum hosted by Turkiye. It provided valuable object lessons on the importance of consolidating existing alliances, building new ones and the imperative of a new multilateralism.
In an era defined by overlapping crises—from climate change and geopolitical tensions to widening inequalities and rapid technological disruption, the question is no longer whether uncertainty will shape our future, but how we choose to navigate it.
This year’s Antalya Diplomacy Forum, “Mapping Tomorrow: Managing Uncertainties,” offered a crucial forum to confront this reality. 155 countries participated, from a wide range of developing countries including Least Developed Countries (LDCs). In other words, it offered a platform for all countries, not just a club of the few. Most important, it looked forward to the pathways. One clear recognition was the imperative of a new multilateralism and approaches to build resilience.
For the world’s 44 LDCs and small vulnerable countries, uncertainty is not an abstract concept. It is lived daily through fragile health systems, exposure to climate shocks, limited access to technology, and constrained fiscal space. Yet, within these challenges lies an often-overlooked truth: resilience can be built, and futures can be shaped—if the right investments and partnerships are in place.
One clear recognition was that technology and innovation are essential instruments for managing uncertainty. From strengthening early warning systems and climate adaptation strategies to enabling digital transformation and evidence-based policymaking. Technology and innovation empower countries to anticipate risks rather than simply react to them. In Uganda, for example, the rapid expansion of mobile money services has enabled millions of people to access financial tools for the first time, strengthening household resilience and illustrating how digital innovation can drive inclusive economic participation.
Another powerful example is the targeted investment in digital infrastructure, innovation hubs, and skills development. It is already yielding life-changing results for people. In Ethiopia, digital agricultural advisory platforms are providing millions of smallholder farmers with real-time, data-driven guidance, improving productivity and resilience. This demonstrates how technology and innovation can support proactive decision-making in countries that are currently at the lower end of the development spectrum.
A second key insight emerging from Antalya is the growing importance of middle powers in shaping and calling for a multilateral system that reflects the reality of 2026. The global multilateral architecture designed in the immediate post-World War II period does not reflect the realities and needs of today’s global landscape.
Countries like Türkiye are stepping up to the plate and playing a pivotal role as conveners and bridge-builders. Their development cooperation models also offer valuable lessons in a rapidly changing development setting. Türkiye’s own experience—both as an important country in the new global landscape and one that has effectively leveraged technology and innovation for its own growth—illustrates the value of long-term vision combined with practical implementation. Its engagement across regions, including through technical cooperation, reflects an approach that prioritizes ownership, adaptability, and results. Its active and forward-looking foreign policy evidenced by the success of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026 is also noteworthy.
Reflecting on the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026, three priorities stand out.
Firstly, we must bridge the technology gap. The digital divide continues to mirror and reinforce broader inequalities. Ensuring equitable access to knowledge, data, and innovation ecosystems is critical. This enables LDCs and small vulnerable countries like those in the Caribbean and Pacific create a sustainable development trajectory that offers opportunities to their people.
Secondly, building local capabilities is vital. Resilience cannot be imported; it must be built from within. Strengthening national systems for research, education, and innovation allows countries to design context-specific responses to complex challenges.
Finally, the discussions in Antalya underscored a shared recognition: no country can navigate today’s uncertainties alone. Multilateralism—grounded in trust, solidarity, and shared responsibility—remains indispensable. However, the existing architecture must change to be more inclusive and responsive, particularly for those countries most at risk of being left behind.
In summary, developing countries cannot be passive bystanders. The future is not predetermined. It is shaped by the choices and actions we take today. Countries at the periphery must ensure that they are fully involved in shaping the agenda for a multilateralism that works for all.
Deodat Maharaj is a national of Trinidad and Tobago and currently the Managing Director of the United Nations Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries. He can be reached at: deodat.maharaj@un.org