Podcast Summary:

TED Talks Daily – "Is inviting everyone to the meeting holding back global cooperation?" | Qahir Dhanani
Date: January 8, 2026
Host: Elise Hu
Guest: Qahir Dhanani, International Affairs and Development Expert

Episode Overview

In this compelling TED Talk, Qahir Dhanani challenges conventional ideas around global cooperation. With an urgent tone and personal clarity, he argues that the traditional approach of including every nation and actor in international negotiations is slowing progress and diluting ambition. Instead, he advocates for "coalitions of the willing"—smaller, focused groups that drive innovation and provide blueprints for broader change. Dhanani explores how rebuilding trust, recalibrating multilateralism, and learning from past successes can help us tackle today's pressing global challenges.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Magic of Global Cooperation (03:17–05:40)

• Global Standards:
  Dhanani opens by revealing how everyday conveniences, like the machine-readable zone on passports, are the result of international cooperation and standardization.
  • Quote:
    “Those two lines are magic, the product of international cooperation. Because without them, you wouldn't be able to get on that plane... This is international cooperation at its best.” — Qahir Dhanani (03:21)
• Historic Achievements:
  • Formation of the International Telegraph Union (ITU) over 160 years ago, laying the groundwork for global communication—amazing continuity into the digital era.
  • Multilateral agreements underpin key systems: time zones, traffic signals, and more.

The Crisis of Trust and Institutional Stagnation (05:40–07:38)

• Eroding Confidence:
  Dhanani notes the widespread crisis of faith in global institutions, describing the perception of international organizations as “a mesh of red tape...endless bureaucracy or political posturing.” (06:03)
• Obsolescence of Institutions:
  The frameworks crafted in the aftermath of WWII struggle to remain effective in today's rapidly evolving world.

The Dilemma: Is International Cooperation Worth It? (07:39–08:17)

• A Firm Stance:
  Dhanani insists that, despite skepticism, global cooperation is essential—urging listeners to “take another look.”
  • Quote:
    “I implore you take another look. And I give you fair warning that staying in the arena and giving multilateralism another go means one thing for sure. We cannot continue with business as usual.” — Qahir Dhanani (07:51)

Provocative Solution: Rethinking Inclusivity (08:18–09:34)

• Stop Inviting Everyone:
  He boldly suggests moving away from the impulse to bring every stakeholder into initial negotiations, humorously likening it to working on a memo with 200 colleagues and expecting progress.
  • Quote:
    “We must stop insisting on inviting everybody to the meeting. Sounds a bit hard, I know, but hear me out.” — Qahir Dhanani (08:32)
• Resulting Compromises:
  Negotiation with 193 countries leads to only “the least objectionable outcome”—not the bold solutions needed.

A New Model: “Coalitions of the Willing” (09:35–11:50)

• Definition and Historical Precedent:
  Dhanani defines coalitions of the willing as “small dynamic groups of like-minded and sometimes not-so-like-minded actors” (09:51).
  • Actors span countries, businesses, civil society, and more.
  • They set ambitious goals, take risks, and build models others can follow.
  • Memorable Example: Uniform credit card standards developed by a few companies, then adopted globally.
• Contrast with Current Multilateralism:
  Contrasts efficient, focused coalition work with the inertia of universal consensus-seeking.
  • Quote:
    “We've just forgotten... this is how we've done diplomacy for decades.” — Qahir Dhanani (10:41)

Case Study: The LEAF Coalition (11:51–12:43)

• The Power of Small Groups:
  The Lowering Emissions by Accelerating Forest Finance (LEAF) coalition began with a handful of countries, corporations, and civil society actors.
  • Took bold action on deforestation and biodiversity without waiting for global consensus.
  • Resulted in billions committed and growing participation.
  • Quote:
    “They didn't wait for 200 countries to negotiate the last clause of a treaty. They acted... and now everyone is rushing in to join that coalition.” — Qahir Dhanani (12:16)

The Choice Ahead (12:44–13:11)

• Call to Action:
  Dhanani closes by urging listeners to “stay together and take this new path forward” with hope and determination.
  • Quote:
    “We have a choice: Should we stay together and take this new path forward, or should we walk away? I hope we stay together.” — Qahir Dhanani (13:07)

Memorable Quotes and Moments

• On the Machine Readable Zone:
  “Those two lines are magic, the product of international cooperation.” — Qahir Dhanani (03:21)
• On Institutional Trust:
  “Many think about these organizations and they see a mesh of red tape or they see endless bureaucracy or political posturing.” — Qahir Dhanani (06:03)
• On the Least Objectionable Outcome:
  “Trying to negotiate anything with 193 countries... will deliver one thing for certain, if anything at all. And that is the least objectionable outcome.” — Qahir Dhanani (08:59)
• On Coalitions of the Willing:
  “The coalition takes on the risk. It serves itself up as the guinea pig. It proves the model. It makes it easy for others to join in and it pushes the snowball down the mountain.” — Qahir Dhanani (10:14)
• On Choosing the Future of Cooperation:
  “We have a choice: Should we stay together and take this new path forward, or should we walk away? I hope we stay together.” — Qahir Dhanani (13:07)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:17] Introduction to the passport and the importance of standardization
• [05:40] Examples of international cooperation in infrastructure and daily life
• [06:03] Crisis of trust in international organizations
• [07:39] Is international cooperation worth it? Dhanani’s conviction
• [08:18] Argument against radical inclusivity in negotiations
• [09:35] Introduction and advocacy for “coalitions of the willing”
• [10:41] Credit card standardization story and lessons for today
• [11:51] LEAF coalition example—the new model in action
• [12:44] Choice and closing call to action

Conclusion

Qahir Dhanani’s talk is a passionate plea to move beyond outdated models of global negotiation. By focusing on nimble, motivated partnerships—coalitions of the willing—he believes global cooperation can become more impactful, regaining trust and driving bold solutions for urgent challenges. The message is clear: it’s time to recalibrate how we work together, drawing inspiration from both history and present-day experiments in cooperation.