Where next for MIKTA?

Beside being an ideal platform for diplomatic relationship building, what does MIKTA do?

After seven years, the informal middle power partnership bringing together Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey and Australia (MIKTA), has achieved less than optimists envisioned, but lasted longer than pessimists imagined. MIKTA emerged from the G20 in 2013, bringing together middle powers with an eye to balancing the G7 and BRICS coalitions. Its initial aim was to foster a “renewed and innovative partnership” to address the challenges of global governance.

Most recently, MIKTA turned to address Covid-19 with the issuing of a joint ministerial statement on pandemics and global health. It has refocused senior officials, parliamentary, media, academic and student programs to address issues of public health and economic recovery. But as the economic impact on foreign ministry budgets continues, Covid-19 could present an unexpected risk to MIKTA.

There are widely divergent views on MIKTA. At best, MIKTA is a platform to build relationships with non-traditional partners and to work ever m…