The rippling effects of inflation, economic recession, poverty, and political instability, the adverse effects of economic recession, climate change, along with the continuing threats of global terrorism, pandemics such as Covid-19, have affected millions of people worldwide and highlights the complex governing challenges which we face today. These challenges are becoming increasingly multifaceted and interdependent, and states can no longer address these challenges alone. They require well-coordinated solutions that should be adopted with the cooperation and collaboration of states as well as non- state actors such as International Organizations, Non-governmental Organizations, Media and Educational Institutions etc.

The scope of these challenges varies. Sometimes, the need is truly global in scope as in the cases of climate change, terrorism and arms struggle. In other cases, the issue is specific to a particular region of the world or a group of states, such as sharing a border or a river or challenges related to terrorism or armed struggle and poverty. Some issues are local by nature as they concern only a particular community living in a specific area or neighborhood such as waste disposal or infrastructure development related issues. On the surface, economic, political, and social issues at the local, regional, and global levels appear to be discrete in nature and have little bearing on one another. However, the notion that local matters concern only a particular area within a country, that regional matters pertain only to a specific geographical area such as Asia, Europe or Indo-Pacific and global issues are international issues which affect the entire world is overly simplistic. Due to the intensification of globalization; local, regional and global matters are not isolated but rather inter-connected. Hence, the solution to these issues require the effective collaboration of stakeholders at all levels.

Although each country has its own local interests, it is also part of an immediate region and is dependent on regional neighbors for trade, humanitarian assistance and security. The citizens of each nation are also part of the international system as global citizens due to the exposure to and adoption of other cultural values, traditions, and ideologies. All countries are affected by local, regional, and global issues. Global issues such as the Covid-19 pandemic, economic recessions and climate change affects the day to day lives of all the citizens of the world. In such instances people and their governments depend on local authorities as well as regional neighbors and international organizations for humanitarian assistance, technical and financial support. The advancements in digital technology and communications technology as well as the improvement in air travel have connected people and countries from different parts of the world and has prevented any country or region from being isolated in world affairs. These links have paved the way for expansion of trade, cultural interactions, and formation of security alliances between states and have also been highly beneficial in achieving economic progress and strengthening political stability.

The growing role of non-state actors in addressing global challenges is clearly visible in the current spectrum of global politics. These non-state actors play a pivotal role in foreign policy making of states and significantly influence their foreign policy behavior. They also actively contribute to the formulation of domestic policies in the sectors of agriculture, industries, health,

education, welfare etc. aimed at addressing critical socioeconomic and political issues such as food security, gender equality, migration, constitutional crises, human rights abuses etc. Many of these challenges require solutions adopted through the active participation of ordinary citizens, some demand the establishment of new international mechanisms for monitoring or negotiating international laws, whilst most require effective governance through the collaboration of all stakeholders.

There have been various attempts made at the local, regional, and global levels by both the state and non-state actors to increase understanding of human security concerns, advocate for better living standards and welfare benefits for populations across the world and promote the incorporation of their concerns into national development agendas. The United Nations and its subsidiary organizations, states and the academic community have always advocated for the formulation of policies and strengthening of social security networks to safeguard vulnerable groups such as women, children, sexual minorities, refugees, asylum seekers; address their special needs and encourage them to actively get involved in advocacy and policy making procedures.

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