Cambridge University Vice-Chancellor: Multilateralism is the only way

Professor Stephen Toope, the vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge, said he is a firm multilateralist as he shared his views on the future of global multilateralism, technology gaps and cooperation between universities and industries in an interview on the sidelines of the China Development Forum.

"If we aren't collaborating on the big picture questions that face the world – climate change, inequality amongst nations are challenges that are going to present themselves through the rise of technology and its impact on work. These are things that individual countries simply cannot deal with on their own," Toope said.

"So multilateralism I think is the only way."

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Toope also believes that there's certainly room for further improvement of the current trading system like at the WTO.

"What we're seeing now is that other countries, China, India and certain African countries– Nigeria, South Africa – have important roles to play in the world, " he said.

"And I do think that we are going to have to renegotiate some of the structures of global governance."

When talking about technology gaps and cooperation between universities and industries, Toope said major western universities are increasing engagement with partners outside their institutions.

It's not just industries and also civil society organizations working, he said.

“People want the basic innovation coming out of universities, the new ideas, the real breakthroughs, but to commercialize them you really need industry.”