Global Governance in the New Normal Era: the Future of the International Organizations

COVID-19, which first emerged in China in December 2019, has caused severe weaknesses in the global governance processes, especially in the functioning of the world health system, as well as in politics, security and economic fields. The health crisis has turned into a stress test for the governments in internal politics, and for international institutions in international politics and global affairs. However, The World Health Organization (WHO), the main authority of the global health regime for the fight against the COVID-19 threat, which is supposed to be a source of hope for the international community, now has rather become the focal point of the power struggle and political debates among the great Powers in pandemic time. On the other hand, UN, its specialized agencies, EU, NATO and other regional international organizations, which are expected to take the initiative on Covid-19, have been ineffective in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic because the “big powers” failed to undertake the leadership role. Because of global governance weaknesses and failures, many states such as Turkey fought against pandemic depending on their own resources and national measures and methods. For this reason, many observers agree that the liberal international order established after 1945 has seriously wounded in the COVID-19 process and that international institutions will face a deep legitimacy crisis. Consequently, on the one hand, Turkey has assured the health security of its people with its strong and modern health infrastructure; on the other hand, Turkey has acted cooperatively by providing vital support to international health security, and demonstrating a unique solution-oriented model on the global governance crisis.