This Week in Global Development
This Week in Global Development is a weekly podcast covering the most important news in global development. Hosts Adva Saldinger, David Ainsworth, and Rumbi Chakamba break down major headlines and interview leading experts. Topics include foreign aid, humanitarian crises, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, finance, philanthropy, climate, food systems, and global health. Episodes are published every Friday and are also available on YouTube.
Episodes
US aid leadership changes and a controversial UN merger
This week we discuss Jeremy Lewin’s departure from the U.S. State Department’s foreign aid bureau to the White House. His transition to the National Security Council ends a controversial leadership marked by the retreat of the U.S. from its long-held role as the world’s leading bilateral donor. He is expected to be replaced by Andrew Veprek, who has pushed immigration and refugee restrictions at t
Special edition: Live from Hamburg: Can governments still invest in the future?
This special two-part edition of This Week in Global Development comes to you from the Hamburg Sustainability Conference, where leaders from across development, government, business and civil society gather to debate the big questions facing the global economy — from climate and debt to security, trade, and the future of international cooperation.In part one, Devex Global Development Reporter Ayen
Special edition: The blueprint for better lung cancer screening
In this special edition of the This Week in Global Development podcast, produced in partnership with the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, Devex co-founder and Executive Vice President Alan Robbins sits down with three architects of Kentucky’s transformation in fighting high lung cancer rates: Dr. Jamie Studts, Dr. Jennifer Redmond Knight, and Dr. Timothy Mullett — the team behind the Kentucky LEAD
Live from London Climate Action Week
As London Climate Action Week gets into full swing, we break down the key talking points from the conference so far. With the city in the midst of a scorching heat wave, the discussion of climate change feels even more urgent than usual. We explore the transactional landscape that developing nations face, where much-needed capital is increasingly tied to the private sector.Beyond the balance sheet
Fact-checking US aid claims as the State Department continues to hire
In our landmark 150th episode, we discuss a common theme in global development over the past 18 months: the state of U.S. foreign aid. We’re seeing the State Department steadily replenish its workforce, with dozens of open roles across the agency’s global health, international aid, and disaster response bureaus.On the topic of U.S. foreign assistance, last week Secretary of State Marco Rubio claim
Development banks pivot strategies as global volatility deepens
At this year’s annual meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Riga, Latvia, discussions centered on a critical structural shift: what development finance should look like in an age of persistent volatility. Ukraine is increasingly shaping the answer, as the bank’s sustained financing during the war emerges as a potential blueprint for future conflicts.We were also on the
The latest on the Ebola outbreak response
This week, we unpack the latest on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. With no approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo species driving the spread, we dive into the race to develop a vaccine and the critical funding shortfalls standing in the way. While pledges have been made, much of that support has yet to reach those affected on the ground.We also discus
Can domestic resources and private capital fund development?
In this episode, we look back at the conferences we reported from over the past few weeks, reflecting on how global development narratives are evolving across both the global north and the global south.With traditional donors stepping back, the African Development Bank is using its annual meetings to urge governments to fix tax inefficiencies and better mobilize domestic resources to drive sustain
Live from the World Health Assembly
Filmed live from Geneva, Switzerland, on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly, this episode of This Week in Global Development delves into the critical debates unfolding on the ground in Geneva. That includes the tense atmosphere following the World Health Organization’s rare decision to proclaim a global health emergency over the latest Ebola outbreak, mounting fears regarding the virus tra
Special edition: Early detection in Brazil is a game changer for lung cancer care
In a special edition of the This Week in Global Development podcast, Devex cofounder and Executive Vice President Alan Robbins sits down with Brazilian thoracic surgeon Dr. Ricardo Sales do Santos to discuss a revolutionary approach to tackling lung cancer in medically underserved communities in Brazil. As the most lethal form of cancer globally, lung cancer often goes undetected until its final s
What can we expect from the 79th World Health Assembly?
This week, we look ahead to the key talking points at the 79th World Health Assembly, where the Devex team will be reporting from next week. As the World Health Organization continues to operate on a deficit, and with the U.S. withdrawal from the agency, we dig into what the future holds for WHO and how this shifting financial landscape will reshape the global health architecture.With WHO facing f
Special edition: Turning sustainable energy into a viable asset class in Africa
In this special episode of This Week in Global Development, Alain Ebobissé, CEO of Africa50, joins Devex Managing Editor Anna Gawel to discuss a paradigm shift in African infrastructure investment. Africa50, a pan-African investor, is moving beyond one-off projects to aggregate large-scale, “institution-grade” sustainable energy assets. By shifting the narrative from a development imperative to a
Inside the corruption scandal that tarnished the UN
This week, we take you inside a Devex exclusive: the $60 million fiasco at the United Nations, a complex story with an equally complex set of characters, including Vitaly Vanshelboim, whose rise and fall left a black mark on a key U.N. agency.Once revered as a financial wizard, Vanshelboim was the man credited with pulling UNOPS back from the brink of bankruptcy. However, as our investigation reve
Reform or be defunded: The Trump administration’s demands for the UN
In an internal memo seen by Devex, the Trump administration has threatened to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in funding to the United Nations unless it adopts a slate of nine “quick win” reforms. We break down the demands and what they reveal about the United States’ new road map for multilateral engagement.We also received a recent congressional notification which reveals that USAID has
The new world order of aid: Inside the Skoll World Forum
This week, we are on the ground in Oxford for the Skoll World Forum, an annual international convening of social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and leaders across government and civil society. While the global development community faced significant headwinds from foreign aid cuts this time last year, the atmosphere at this year’s forum remains optimistic and focused on resilient solutions.During
Special edition: Visionomics - how eyeglasses drive economic growth
In a special edition of the This Week in Development podcast, Devex Executive Vice President Alan Robbins sits down with Ambassador Keisha McGuire, chief global affairs officer at RestoringVision, to explore the profound economic ripple effects of addressing near-vision loss, or presbyopia. While often dismissed as a mere "annoyance," age-related vision loss is a significant barrier to global heal
Global Progress in the AI Era: The future of AI will be decided by small choices with big stakes
In this episode of Global Progress in the AI Era, a government minister and tech entrepreneur argue that the future of AI will be determined by thousands of small choices. Taking part in the conversation hosted by Devex Senior Editor for Special Coverage Catherine Cheney were Amini founder and CEO Kate Kallot, as well as Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s minister of communications, innovation, and digital e
Inside the World Bank Spring Meetings
Against the backdrop of the World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings, Devex reporters Adva Saldinger, Michael Igoe, and Ayenat Mersie dissect the stories they’ve been hearing on the ground this week. That includes the latest OECD figures showing a staggering 25% drop in official development assistance, the ripple effects of the conflict in the Middle East, and a newfound focus on rebuilding public conse
Special edition: Every crisis is political - redefining humanitarian response
The international aid system has long operated on the ideal of "neutrality," but our latest episode of This Week in Global Development, sponsored by the Urgent Action Sister Funds, challenges this deeply embedded notion. Devex Executive Editor and Executive Vice President Kate Warren is joined by the Urgent Action Sister Funds’ Jean Kemitare and Johnny Tohme, as well as Lucy Martin of the Centre f
A look at the United States' new foreign aid strategy
This week, we discuss the United States’ new highly targeted approach to humanitarian aid, showcased in a $2 billion agreement with the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA. Designed for rapid impact, the funds are strictly earmarked for direct, lifesaving assistance over a short six-month window across 18 crisis-affected countries. We explore the implications of this
Special edition: Breast cancer as a global development challenge
In this special episode of This Week in Global Development, we explore breast cancer not just as a health challenge, but as a critical development challenge. In low- and middle-income countries, or LMICs, a breast cancer diagnosis can have a devastating ripple effect that extends far beyond the clinic, impacting households, communities, and entire systems. Hosted in partnership with The Pfizer Fou
Unpacking the UK's new aid strategy and the World Bank's approach to water
We dig into the key findings of a report published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on philanthropic funding. As traditional donors continue to slash their aid budgets, we examine where philanthropy can help plug the global development funding gap and provide resources for areas the private sector is not focusing on.We also discuss the United Kingdom’s new aid strategy
Global Progress in the AI Era: Why investing in evidence is key to translating AI hype into impact
As governments and funders invest in AI for development, a critical question remains: what actually delivers impact? In this episode of Global Progress in the AI Era, experts explain that funding evidence — not just innovation — will determine whether AI improves lives or reinforces existing gaps.
PEPFAR, Global Fund, and the future of HIV care
In this week’s edition of This Week in Global Development, we unpack the precarious state of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR. Despite ongoing congressional support, a significant disconnect between allocated funds and State Department disbursements has left major implementing agencies such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention operating on less than
Global Progress in the AI Era: How GiveDirectly is using AI to deliver cash faster
In this episode of Global Progress in the AI Era, Nick Allardice explains how GiveDirectly is using AI to deliver faster, more direct aid — from anticipatory cash transfers in Bangladesh to near real-time responses in crisis zones. The conversation explores what it takes to move from theory to practice, and how AI is forcing new trade-offs around speed, targeting, and dignity in humanitarian respo
Special edition: What will it take to reverse HIV in Eastern Europe and Central Asia?
While HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths are declining globally, the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region, or EECA, tells a different story. It is now home to one of the world’s fastest-growing HIV epidemics, with over 2.1 million people living with the virus. Alarmingly, about 20% are unaware of their status, and nearly half remain without treatment. Since 2010, EECA has become the only reg
Latin America and Africa paths diverge amid global shocks
A tale of two continents is unfolding in the global development landscape as Latin America embraces a surge of private investment while Africa grapples with severe economic aftershocks from geopolitical conflict in the Middle East. At the recent Inter-American Development Bank meetings, an atmosphere of intense optimism prevailed, fueled by the region's 63% renewable energy matrix and the attendan
Global Progress in the AI Era: What happens when AI labs and social enterprises build together?
As AI models scale globally, social enterprises are increasingly working with frontier AI labs to test, adapt, and improve the technology in local contexts. This episode explores how those partnerships could determine whether AI reinforces existing inequalities — or helps close them.
Inside CSW: What is at stake for gender equality?
This week, we are reporting from the Commission on the Status of Women — the world’s largest gathering on gender equality, which is taking place at the United Nations headquarters in New York. We discuss the key talking points at the conference, including what’s at stake amid a global regression in women’s rights, as well as the conversations taking place on the sidelines of the main summit. Stay
Global Progress in the AI Era: Can a new effort scale AI for good to reach hundreds of millions?
Too many “AI for good” pilots fail before reaching the people who need them most.To solve this scaling crisis, Kanika Bahl, the CEO of Evidence Action, is stepping down from the helm of the organization to lead a new effort called the AI Access Initiative. Operating as an “AI-native NGO,” the initiative will bridge the gap between frontier tech labs and global development actors. Rather than fundi
Inside EIB’s critical meetings and USAID’s controversial shutdown
This week, we are reporting from the European Investment Bank’s annual meetings in Luxembourg to better understand the direction in which the institution is heading. We dig into the agenda as Europe continues to balance defense and development spending.EIB President Nadia Calviño says the bank is “carrying the flag of development.” This comes as the bank pledged $1 billion for electrification in A
Global Progress in the AI Era: How the global south can finance AI infrastructure on its own terms
This week on Devex’s Global Progress in the AI Era podcast, we are breaking down the critical shift from simply accessing artificial intelligence to owning the infrastructure it runs on, with a specific focus on how the global south can finance AI infrastructure on its own terms. From the push for "minimum viable compute" to the deployment of micro data centers, we explore how nations are moving a
Key takeaways from the AI Impact Summit, and philanthropy under scrutiny
Last week, we were at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 to find out how this revolutionary technology can transform global development. From AI regulation to the push for democratized access, we’re breaking down our key takeaways from the summit and exploring how artificial intelligence can maximize impact in the sector.On the topic of the AI Impact Summit, Bill Gates pulled out hours before deliver
Global Progress in the AI Era: Governing the AI moment
Artificial intelligence is moving at breakneck speed, but can global governance keep up?In this episode of our new podcast series, Global progress in the AI era, Devex’s Catherine Cheney sits down with Amandeep Singh Gill, the U.N. secretary-general’s envoy on technology.Together, they unpack the fast-evolving — and often fragmented — architecture of AI regulation.The core question: Can today’s pa
What did we learn at the African Union Summit and the Munich Security Conference?
We examine the latest developments surrounding the African Continental Free Trade Area, or AfCFTA, which served as a focal point of the recent African Union Summit. The initiative continues its phased reduction of continental tariffs to bolster intra-African trade and industrialization.The development of strategic resource corridors to anchor critical mineral supply chains was also a cornerstone o
What is the impact of aid cuts in Africa?
This week we take a look at a new report from the Center for Global Development, which found that aid cuts have largely failed to spark reform in sub-Saharan Africa. The caveat, though, is that the authors analyzed national budget data from June 2025 — shortly after the U.S. announced its drastic cuts, meaning the analysis doesn’t reflect efforts that have been taken since then. But still, it chal
The new power players
In this episode of the This Week in Global Development podcast, Business Editor David Ainsworth is joined by Managing Editor Anna Gowel and Deputy Managing Editor Fiona Zublin to discuss the launch of Devex’s Power 50 list. The conversation highlights how the development landscape is shifting away from traditional power structures toward influential "movers and shakers" behind the scenes, includin
Special edition: Elevating oral health on the global agenda
In this special edition of our podcast, This week in global development, we explore the critical yet often overlooked issue of oral health with guests Anil Soni, CEO of the WHO Foundation, and Esha Gupta, Head of Public Health and Social Impact at Colgate-Palmolive.Despite oral diseases affecting 3.7 billion people and being among the most common noncommunicable diseases, oral health has historica
US amps up aid restrictions, and those left behind in era of self-interest
This week we report on the U.S. State Department’s radical expansion of the Mexico City Policy, also known as the global gag rule, which blocks U.S. federal funding to international nongovernmental organizations that provide or inform about abortion. Beyond the traditional reproductive health restrictions, three sweeping new rules now tether all U.S. foreign assistance to strict prohibitions on “g
Special edition: BCG on scaling global impact in an era of constraints
In this special edition of This Week in Global Development, recorded at Davos, we explore a fundamental shift in the development landscape: the move from funding gaps to impact-driven results. As global economic constraints and fragmented cooperation redefine the sector, the conversation is no longer just about how much money can be mobilized, but how leadership and innovation can scale impact in
The latest from the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos
This week, we are tuning in from Davos as we report from the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. With Trump’s attendance and foreign policy dominating the summit, we discuss the most important updates for the global development community, including the Gates Foundation and OpenAI’s $50 million commitment to support AI-infused health programs across Africa.We examine the year’s defining nar
Inside the US foreign aid breakthrough and $2B commitment to the UN
This week, U.S. lawmakers reached a deal on a $50 billion compromise foreign assistance bill. Even though the agreement implements a 16% reduction from what was approved by Congress last year, it defies President Donald Trump’s requested 47.7% gutting of the budget. Beyond the numbers, the bill signals a fundamental overhaul of how foreign assistance accounts are managed and structured.From its ri
What does 2026 hold for global development?
In the first episode of the year, we look ahead to what we expect to happen in 2026 in global development. From more foreign aid cuts by traditional Western donors to a more transactional approach to development, we discuss what trends are set to shape the future of the sector. We identify the key players driving this transition from aid to investment, as well as contemplate the conditions necessa
Forget quiet quitting, the State Department appears to be quiet hiring
In our final episode of 2025, we discuss a tumultuous year in U.S. foreign assistance. It has not always been clear who is calling the shots in the new world of U.S. development funding, but we break down who we believe are the key players in this moment of uncertainty.We are also seeing that the State Department is rebuilding its workforce, and across the world, positions are opening up to fill t
A look at Kenya’s new deals with the US, and the latest on food aid cuts
The U.S. State Department has signed a bilateral agreement with Kenya, its first in its ongoing efforts to overhaul how it provides global health assistance. The United States said it will invest up to $1.6 billion over five years in the East African country, with the Kenyan government cofinancing the agreement with $850 million. We take a look at how this controversial new approach could play out
Impact of HIV funding cuts, and the rise of digital public infrastructure
We dig into the details of a new report published by UNAIDS, which found that donor funding cuts to the HIV response could lead to an additional 3.9 million new infections over the next five years, even if treatment coverage is maintained. The report, published on World AIDS Day 2025, called on governments to uphold human rights and urged funders to dedicate more resources to HIV prevention, inclu
G20 politics, and the future of UNHCR
This week, we unpack the major storylines emerging from the G20 Summit — the first ever held on African soil — where South Africa used its presidency to spotlight debt, inequality, climate, and critical minerals, even as the United States chose not to attend. With global development at an inflection point, leaders leaned into questions of how multilateralism must evolve as the global south asserts
Trump’s approach to global health, and the latest from COP30
This week, we take a look at the details of the new template for bilateral agreements between the United States and partner governments, which sheds light on the ideas floating around the Trump administration on how it will engage with other countries when it comes to global health. However, experts are raising concerns around its implementation. In our update from COP30, we discuss the conference
Special edition: Can AI safely support mental health?
In this special episode of the This Week in Global Development podcast, we dive into a fast-moving and timely question at the intersection of technology and health care: Can artificial intelligence safely support mental health? Hosted in partnership with PATH, Devex Senior Editor for Special Coverage Catherine Cheney speaks with Bilal Mateen, chief AI officer at PATH, Miranda Wolpert, director of
On the ground at COP30: The latest on climate finance and deciphering the jargon
This week we are on the ground at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP30, in Belém, Brazil, where the intense heat and daily thunderstorms offer an “immersive experience” of the climate crisis right at the conference’s doorstep. In this episode, hosted by Devex Executive Vice President and Executive Editor Kate Warren, reporters Ayenat Mersie and Jesse Chase-Lubitz highlight t
Special edition: Innovation in Action - Scaling Climate Solutions from the Ground Up
In this week’s special episode of the This week in global development podcast, filmed at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, and hosted in partnership with CropLife International, we explore the expanding role of agricultural innovation — including advances in plant science, crop protection, biotechnology, and digital and precision tools — in helping farmers adapt to climate stress and maintain productivity.
After 2025’s ‘seismic’ shock, what’s next for development and aid?
On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s Humanitarian and Resilience Investing Initiative’s Frontier Markets Impact Meeting in Geneva, Devex teamed up with Radio Davos for a special podcast episode. The conversation was cohosted by Devex President and Editor-in-Chief Raj Kumar and Radio Davos host Robin Pomeroy.Driven by shrinking government aid and escalating global needs, the global develo
The potential exodus of NGOs from the US, and the rise of authoritarianism
This week, we reported that U.S.-based international nonprofits are looking into registering sister organizations overseas as they face an increasingly unpredictable political environment at home. Law firms in Canada and the United Kingdom confirm this trend, telling Devex they’ve seen increased interest from U.S. entities seeking to set up international arms amid growing domestic instability.With
Special episode: Pivotal Ventures on Funding the Future of Women’s Health
In this week’s special edition of the This Week in Global Development podcast, we explore how investing in women’s health is not just a health issue — it’s about power, agency, and opportunity. Women spend 25% more of their lives in poor health than men, due to underfunded research, diagnostic biases, and policies that fail to prioritize their needs. The result: Llimits on women’s ability to lead,
The impact of aid cuts: UN reform and the role of philanthropy
This week, we explore the ins and outs of UN80, the United Nations' reform plan to cut costs and boost efficiency. We outline what this initiative, drafted as a result of funding cuts to the institution, involves in practice.On the topic of foreign aid cuts, we have also been following the calls for philanthropy to fill the void left by traditional donors, most notably the United States. We discus
Live from the World Bank annual meetings: The debates dominating Washington
This week, we are on the ground at the World Bank-International Monetary Fund annual meetings, closely following the conversations that will shape the global development sector.As we note a reduced focus on climate change policy compared to previous years, we are tracking how the conversation is pivoting, with climate issues now being approached through an energy security angle.In addition to exam
Special edition: A conversation with the Mines Advisory Group
In this week’s special edition of the This Week in Global Development podcast, we spotlight the Mines Advisory Group, or MAG, recipient of the 2025 Hilton Humanitarian Prize — the world’s largest annual humanitarian award. MAG’s work clearing land mines and unexploded ordnance has saved lives and restored livelihoods in post-conflict communities for more than three decades.In a special episode spo
A look ahead to the World Bank and IMF meetings
This week on the podcast, we unpack what to watch during the World Bank and International Monetary Fund annual meetings in Washington, D.C. — from shifting global growth forecasts to reforms across multilateral development banks. As the fall meetings kick off, leaders in development finance are looking closely at how the World Bank is reshaping itself to mobilize more private capital and move fast
Could taxes fix the global health funding crisis?
This week, we discuss the details of the “Accra Reset,” an effort to declare an end to the era of development-as-usual and to push for the creation of new governance, business, and financing models. With traditional donors cutting foreign assistance, African nations and others are using the initiative to jointly invest, design, and create solutions with external partners.With official development
UNGA 80: Trump, climate, and the biggest headlines from the summit
This week we are on the ground in New York to cover the 80th United Nations General Assembly and Climate Week. Our discussion breaks down President Donald Trump’s address at the summit, where he called climate change a hoax, denounced Europe’s energy policies, and focused on the urgent need to address uncontrolled migration.The global drive for emissions reduction is moving forward despite the Tru
Live from UNGA80: What's at stake for global development
This week, the Devex team is on the ground at the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York. On the sidelines of the high-level talks, we are hosting a series of events with some of the most influential voices in global development at our dedicated venue, Devex Impact House. From the future of foreign assistance to the latest plan to reform the U.N., we discuss the forces shaping the sector
A look ahead to the high-level meetings of 80th United Nations General Assembly
This week, we take a look at the key talking points ahead of the high-level meetings of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. From the Trump administration’s cutting of funding to international organizations to China’s desire to increase its influence at the U.N., we discuss the conversations that we will be following that are most relevant to the global development community.Du
The Africa Climate Summit, and a new legal test for the Trump administration
This week, we were at the Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, closely following the stories that matter most to the global development community. From forging a unified voice ahead of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference to how carbon markets could transform climate action on the continent, we discuss the key takeaways from the conference.In the United States, we continue
Special episode: The US budget deadlock explained
The negotiation and approval of the U.S. budget is a complex process, filled with political bargaining and high-stakes showdowns that can have a profound impact far beyond Washington. This process directly shapes funding for foreign aid, global health, and humanitarian crises around the world.With the Trump administration proposing a “pocket rescission” package that would cut an additional $5 bill
Special episode: Beyond malaria: Africa’s shift to integrated mosquito management
For decades, Africa's malaria strategy has focused almost exclusively on disease control through indoor mosquito management and personal protection — bed nets, indoor spraying, and individual-level interventions. But this approach alone isn’t working. Progress against malaria in the African region has slowed significantly, with cases declining by just 5% since 2015 and mortality by 16%, according
A new era at the African Development Bank, and Trump’s rescission package
This week, Akinwumi Adesina stepped down as the chief of the African Development Bank after a 10-year tenure. He was replaced by Sidi Ould Tah at the helm of the institution, who is promising reform, new partnerships, and a focus on jobs — even as the bank confronts tight budgets and a looming African Development Fund replenishment.In the United States, the Trump administration proposed another $5
A look at UN80, and how emerging donors are reshaping the aid landscape
This week, we take a look at the details of the latest United Nations reform, the UN80 Initiative, which is designed to make the organization more efficient. Unofficially, it’s also a move to convince the Trump administration not to cut U.N. funding even further. However, the initiative is unlikely to satisfy anyone. Meanwhile, China, the U.N.’s largest financial contributor, is pushing for a grea
Trump’s plan for UNGA, and the impact of aid cuts on refugees in Malawi
This week takes a look at an internal email seen by Devex, which outlines the U.S. Department of State’s priorities for the United Nations General Assembly. In addition to not mentioning the world “development,” the Trump administration is calling for a “fundamental rethink” of the international humanitarian system, and a decreased reliance on the country that was once the world’s largest donor.We
State Department faces $20B spending deadline as fiscal year end looms
With the U.S. Agency for International Development officially ceasing operations as the main U.S. foreign aid agency on July 1, the State Department now faces the daunting task of spending an estimated $20 billion before the fiscal year ends on Sept. 30 — without the 10,000 staff members who previously managed such distributions. The administration is legally required to spend money appropriated b
A look at the Trump administration's plan for DFC
This week, we're taking a deep dive into the Trump administration's vision for the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. The White House’s proposal seeks to expand the number of countries DFC can work in, paving the way for it to invest in high-income countries — a shift from its initial remit to invest in lower-income countries. However, the U.S. Congress still needs to reauthorize
The next steps after FfD4, and how UN programs are affected by aid cuts
This week, our conversation features Shari Spiegel, chief of the Financing for Sustainable Development Office at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. She joins host Adva Saldinger and Senior Global Reporter Colum Lynch to reflect on the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, as well as dig into the legacy she hopes the summit will have. With the chan
US aid slashed: Inside the $8 billion cut to foreign assistance
After an all-night marathon of amendments, the U.S. Senate voted to advance President Donald Trump’s $9 billion rescissions package this week. While the country’s flagship HIV/AIDS initiative PEPFAR was saved during the process, the package will still claw back nearly $8 billion in previously approved funding for foreign aid. To dig into this story, and others, Senior Editor Rumbi Chakamba sits do
Special episode: Reimagining a more just and equitable global system
While the abrupt cuts to official development assistance and closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development have upended the existing global development landscape and multilateral framework, they also represent an opportunity to reimagine a more just and equitable international system, said Open Society Foundations President Binaifer Nowrojee.In a podcast recording with Devex President a
Foreign aid at a crossroads: What's next for global development?
With the U.S. Agency for International Development officially dismantled and its remnants folded into the State Department, the landscape of global aid is at a turning point. We delve into expert perspectives on what the future of foreign assistance might entail, exploring proposed transformations from widening the donor base beyond traditional Western nations to building new institutions and stre
Special episode: How blockchain is powering crisis-to-cash infrastructure
As development budgets tighten, donors, NGOs, and implementing partners alike are all grappling with an increasingly urgent question: How do you move money efficiently and securely to people who need it most — especially in complex or hard-to-reach environments, where traditional banking fails?One technology that’s gaining traction in this space is blockchain. “The speed, the efficiency, the trans
Did Sevilla save multilateralism — or just survive the heat?
As the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development wraps up, Devex reporters Jesse Chase-Lubitz and Elissa Miolene join Associate Editor Thomas Cserép for a podcast episode reflecting on what transpired this week in Sevilla — beyond the sweltering 115 degrees Celsius heat.The big takeaway from FfD4 is the Compromiso de Sevilla, a document that participants view as both a commitmen
Special episode: Can health survive the development finance revolution?
With aid budgets under pressure globally, delegates at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla, Spain, are urgently exploring innovative ways to fund global development. But as the spotlight shifts toward private capital, there’s a growing concern that essential interventions without immediate financial returns — such as health investments — could be overlooked.
FfD4 kicks off as aid budgets shrink and U.S. steps back
Development leaders have converged on Sevilla, Spain, for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, or FfD4 — the first such gathering in a decade — as shrinking aid budgets and a U.S. retreat from multilateral commitments reshape the sector.At the 2015 conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, official development assistance was at record levels amid ambitious “billions to tril
How cuts to Gavi reflect US disengagement from development
This week, we have been closely following the Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance’s high-level replenishment event in Brussels. Gavi, the leading international organization that provides vaccines to lower-income countries, finalized its five-year investment round event with more than $9 billion in pledges — falling short of its total budget request of $11.9 billion. The United States decided to cut its sup
Bonn climate talk updates, and how aid cuts are affecting US farmers
This week, we are at the Bonn Climate Change Conference. From climate financing to the absence of the United States, we take a look at the major talking points at the summit and contemplate whether the talks will translate into actionable policies. We also look at how the Trump administration’s plans to cut foreign aid funding could create unexpected domestic repercussions for American agricultura
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