The Boston Global Forum (BGF) affirms that in this moment of historic transition, the Four Pillars of Democracy—the United States, Japan, India, and the European Union–United Kingdom—must act together with urgency and clarity to secure peace, stability, and prosperity for humanity.
The Situation and Challenges
The world faces profound threats: the continuing war in Ukraine, aggressive actions and coercive policies from authoritarian states, economic disruptions from fragile supply chains, and growing risks of technological misuse in the Age of AI. Many democracies continue to trade with regimes that undermine peace and stability, weakening their own collective position. Without unity, the Four Pillars risk fragmentation, leaving space for authoritarian powers to reshape global rules to their advantage.
What Must Be Done
The Four Pillars must consolidate their strength and act in unison through four dimensions:
- Economy and Business – Build trusted, democratic supply chains; reduce dependency on Russia and China; and create an economic front that makes aggression unsustainable.
- Innovation and Technology – Lead in AI, chips, digital assets, and emerging technologies with frameworks that emphasize ethics, transparency, and human dignity. Establish common innovation standards to set the pace for the global economy.
- Security and Peace – Deepen defense and intelligence cooperation, ensuring credible deterrence while pursuing diplomatic pathways that uphold the sovereignty and security of all nations.
- Values and Governance – Promote democracy, rule of law, and human rights as guiding principles for global partnerships. Together, the Four Pillars must show that democratic cooperation delivers stability, prosperity, and peace.
Call to Action
The Boston Global Forum calls on leaders of the United States, Japan, India, and the EU–UK to take bold, coordinated action now. Their shared responsibility is not only to defend their own citizens but also to offer the world a model of peace and security grounded in economy, business, and innovation—anchored by democratic values.
The Four Pillars, united, can define the future: a world where peace is preserved, innovation serves humanity, and democracy prevails in the Age of AI.
