ODI is initiating this project to contribute to an understanding of the role of international fora and bodies in the provision of global public goods.

Failure to progress at the multilateral level has led to a major concern that the international community underprovides much needed global public goods crucial for development. Recognising this stalemate, it is necessary to revisit what can be done to progress towards more effective and adequate provision of global public goods.

In particular, whilst there is a current tendency not to conclude formal global rules (e.g. restrictions on carbon emissions or global trade rules) due especially to rapid and large shifts in global economic power, how can progress be made in different ways? And what bodies and institutions can be of help, with special reference to the EU, G8, BRICS and G20?

The research will address three areas:

• in terms of progress at the formal rule-making level, how far have we advanced, and are we stalling? If so, why?
• what are the different interests in global negotiations, and how have these differed, diverged or converged amongst groups and actors over time?
• what are the various alternatives for providing GPGs? This is related mainly to different forms of co-operation at international and regional levels.

We will examine in particular whether and how bodies such as the EU, G8, BRICs and the G20 can advance key discussions on multilateral economic and environmental governance. This will take into account how these bodies engage with various actors including the private sector and civil society.