In assessing the impacts of the nine megatrends on the future state of government, we present possible responses using the core tools available – policy, regulation and programs – as well as the strategies, structures and skills that future governments will need to have in place.

• national governments' engagement in international, regional and jurisdictional forums to address interconnected issues
• the quantity and quality of evidence-based policy which uses high-quality data assisted by strong data analytics. 

• encourage behavioral change among citizens to mitigate and manage downstream megatrend impacts (where policy and program changes have been ineffective)
• enforce market practices to align with government policy priorities and choices, including controls over the extent and form of any foreign investment. 

• minimize costs to governments by reducing unit costs/prices, reducing unit demand and/or capping total demand for government services
• take a more holistic long-term view of infrastructure systems, encompassing both hard and soft infrastructure. 

• long-term planning and scenario exercises including long-term economic forecasts and critical infrastructure renewal assessments
• behavioral insights to encourage people to act in ways that will reduce pressures on social support systems
• outcomes and metrics to help ensure that funds are allocated to cost-effective programs
• flexibility and "paradigm" thinking as part of policy and planning capacity to address unexpected challenges and opportunities
• technology adoption that is flexible, affordable and timely. 

• internationally integrated through active engagement with international partners, or increased cooperation with international institutions
• highly integrated through more connected-up policy arrangements within and across relevant policy domains
• locally empowered with greater funds and authority given to cities to meet their responsibilities
• networked through meaningful collaboration with citizens, other levels of government, neighboring countries, the private and non-profit sectors to sustain key areas of government service delivery
• flexible and adaptive in planning to facilitate greater risk taking and more timely responses to unanticipated situations. 

• international awareness, including knowledge of global trends and their impacts, to factor into decision-making processes
• financial sophistication with a deep knowledge of highly integrated international capital markets
• systems thinking to understand the potential benefits and risks of technology developments and undertake effective technology road-mapping
• effective stakeholder engagement, including the use of new communication channels such as social media
• risk assessment and change management to address complex risk issues.