This Week in Global Development
News & Politics
About
Dive into the week's most critical global development news with the This Week in Global Development podcast. In each episode, hosts Adva Saldinger, David Ainsworth, and Rumbi Chakamba break down major headlines and invite leading experts for insightful analysis. Get up-to-date on news regarding foreign aid, humanitarian crises, the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals, finance, philanthropy, climate, food systems, global health, and stay informed on the latest trends and policy changes shaping global development. Episodes are published every Friday and can also be watched on YouTube. Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@devex Sign up to the Devex Newswire and our other newsletters: https://www.devex.com/account/newsletters
Episodes
- Special edition: Turning sustainable energy into a viable asset class in Africa
Alain Ebobissé of Africa50 explains the shift towards aggregating sustainable energy assets in Africa, moving beyond individual projects to create commercially viable opportunities. The discussion covers attracting global and African capit…
- Inside the corruption scandal that tarnished the UN
This podcast episode investigates a $60 million UN corruption scandal involving Vitaly Vanshelboim, who was once credited with saving UNOPS but later faced accusations of secret deals and financial impropriety. The discussion questions whe…
- Reform or be defunded: The Trump administration’s demands for the UN
The Trump administration has threatened to withhold UN funding unless reforms are implemented. The podcast also covers USAID funding for terminated awards and discusses the link between sight restoration, women's economic participation, an…
- The new world order of aid: Inside the Skoll World Forum
This podcast episode from the Skoll World Forum features Devex President Raj Kumar and Business Editor David Ainsworth discussing the optimistic atmosphere and the evolving role of philanthropic organizations in the post-aid era. The conve…
- Special edition: Visionomics - how eyeglasses drive economic growth
This episode discusses 'visionomics,' the economic impact of addressing near-vision loss. It highlights that for every $1 invested in vision services in low- to middle-income countries, there is a $28 return, and treating vision contribute…
- 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, Amini CEO Kate Kallot and Nigeria’s minister of communications Bosun Tijani discuss how the future of artificial intelligence will be determined by numerous small decisions. The conversatio…
- Inside the World Bank Spring Meetings
This episode of This Week in Global Development features Devex reporters analyzing the World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings. They cover a significant decrease in development assistance, the influence of Middle East conflict, and the World Ba…
- Special edition: Every crisis is political - redefining humanitarian response
This episode of This Week in Global Development discusses the limitations of humanitarian aid neutrality, arguing that crises are inherently political. It highlights the Feminist Crisis Response Model, which prioritizes local partners and…
- A look at the United States' new foreign aid strategy
This episode discusses the United States' new foreign aid strategy, featuring a $2 billion agreement with the UN OCHA for rapid, direct aid. It also covers the Trump administration's proposed budget cuts to foreign affairs spending and inc…
- Special edition: Breast cancer as a global development challenge
This special episode of This Week in Global Development examines breast cancer as a critical development issue in low- and middle-income countries. Hosted in partnership with The Pfizer Foundation, the discussion highlights how integrated…
- Unpacking the UK's new aid strategy and the World Bank's approach to water
This episode discusses a report on philanthropic funding's role in development, the UK's new aid strategy focusing on fragile states and an investor role, and the World Bank's updated water strategy.
- Global Progress in the AI Era: Why investing in evidence is key to translating AI hype into impact
This episode of Global Progress in the AI Era features experts discussing the critical need to fund evidence generation to ensure AI's effective use in development. They argue that focusing solely on innovation risks reinforcing existing i…
- PEPFAR, Global Fund, and the future of HIV care
This episode of This Week in Global Development examines the current challenges facing PEPFAR, including fundingDiscrepancies and their impact on HIV care services in Nairobi and Uganda. It also explores the increasing reliance on the Glob…
- Global Progress in the AI Era: How GiveDirectly is using AI to deliver cash faster
This episode features Nick Allardice explaining GiveDirectly's implementation of AI to expedite aid distribution. The discussion covers using AI for faster, more direct aid, from Bangladesh's anticipatory cash transfers to real-time crisis…
- Special edition: What will it take to reverse HIV in Eastern Europe and Central Asia?
The EECA region faces a rapidly growing HIV epidemic, with rising AIDS-related deaths. This episode explores RADIAN, a partnership tackling the crisis with community-led solutions, including mobile clinics and AI tools, aiming to reverse t…
- Latin America and Africa paths diverge amid global shocks
Latin America is experiencing a boom in private investment, driven by its renewable energy sector and major infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, many African nations are struggling with economic aftershocks from Middle East conflict, leadin…
- Global Progress in the AI Era: What happens when AI labs and social enterprises build together?
This episode discusses the growing collaboration between AI labs and social enterprises. These partnerships aim to test and adapt AI technology in local contexts, influencing whether AI exacerbates or alleviates existing global inequalitie…
- Inside CSW: What is at stake for gender equality?
This episode covers the UN Commission on the Status of Women, focusing on gender equality, global challenges to women's rights, and potential UN agency mergers. It also touches on the race for the next UN Secretary-General.
- Global Progress in the AI Era: Can a new effort scale AI for good to reach hundreds of millions?
Kanika Bahl is launching the AI Access Initiative to address the scaling crisis in "AI for good" projects. The initiative will focus on scaling proven solutions, like clinical decision support and AI weather forecasting, to reach a signifi…
- Inside EIB’s critical meetings and USAID’s controversial shutdown
This episode covers the European Investment Bank's annual meetings, its focus on development, and a pledge for African electrification. It also details the problematic USAID closure process, including stalled payments and litigation threat…
- Global Progress in the AI Era: How the global south can finance AI infrastructure on its own terms
This episode of Global Progress in the AI Era discusses how the global south can finance its own AI infrastructure, moving beyond data extraction to technological sovereignty. Guests explore strategies for building and governing AI systems…
- Key takeaways from the AI Impact Summit, and philanthropy under scrutiny
This episode discusses key takeaways from the India AI Impact Summit 2026, focusing on AI's role in global development and regulation. It also examines the scrutiny of elite philanthropy, prompted by Bill Gates's association with Jeffrey E…
- Global Progress in the AI Era: Governing the AI moment
In the 'Global Progress in the AI Era' podcast, Catherine Cheney and Amandeep Singh Gill discuss the rapid advancement of AI and the challenges global governance faces in regulating it. They explore how to ensure low- and middle-income cou…
- What did we learn at the African Union Summit and the Munich Security Conference?
This episode reviews the African Union Summit, highlighting the AfCFTA and resource corridors, and the Munich Security Conference, noting the focus on development finance and the argument that development investment is key to global securi…
- What is the impact of aid cuts in Africa?
A new Center for Global Development report indicates that aid cuts have generally not led to reforms in sub-Saharan Africa, raising concerns about financing models and social spending. The episode also discusses the specific impacts on Mal…
- The new power players
This episode of This Week in Global Development discusses Devex's Power 50 list, focusing on the rise of new influencers like tech entrepreneurs and philanthropists. It also covers resource sovereignty, with African nations seeking greater…
- Special edition: Elevating oral health on the global agenda
This special edition of This Week in Global Development features Anil Soni and Esha Gupta discussing the critical issue of oral health and its integration into global public health agendas. The episode highlights a new partnership between…
- US amps up aid restrictions, and those left behind in era of self-interest
This episode discusses the US State Department's expansion of the Mexico City Policy, restricting funding for NGOs and initiatives related to abortion, "gender ideology," and DEI. It also covers a Eurodad report on modernized aid rules fav…
- Special edition: BCG on scaling global impact in an era of constraints
This special edition of This Week in Global Development features a conversation with BCG
- The latest from the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos
This episode covers the World Economic Forum in Davos, focusing on AI-infused health programs in Africa and the shift towards country-led initiatives. It also features a segment on women's Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.
- Inside the US foreign aid breakthrough and $2B commitment to the UN
This episode discusses a $50 billion US foreign aid bill, analyzing its impact on global health and the African Growth and Opportunity Act. It also covers a $2 billion US commitment to UN humanitarian funding through 2026 and explores the…
- What does 2026 hold for global development?
This episode of This Week in Global Development forecasts 2026 trends, such as reduced Western aid and a shift towards investment. Hosts Rumbi Chakamba, Raj Kumar, and Anna Gawel explore the roles of billionaires and local leadership, and…
- Forget quiet quitting, the State Department appears to be quiet hiring
In the final episode of 2025, David Ainsworth, Michael Igoe, and Elissa Miolene analyze shifts in U.S. foreign assistance and the State Department's recent staffing efforts. The episode also features a discussion on systemic approaches to…
- A look at Kenya’s new deals with the US, and the latest on food aid cuts
This episode examines Kenya's new bilateral agreement with the US for global health assistance, worth up to $1.6 billion, and a $1 billion debt-for-food swap deal aimed at improving food security. It also covers the implications of US Food…
- Impact of HIV funding cuts, and the rise of digital public infrastructure
This episode discusses a UNAIDS report warning of increased HIV infections due to funding cuts, a US grant to Zipline for health supply delivery in Africa, and the growing importance of digital public infrastructure in development.
- G20 politics, and the future of UNHCR
This episode discusses the G20 Summit held in Africa, focusing on debt, inequality, climate, and critical minerals, alongside the race to lead the UN Refugee Agency amidst funding constraints and political pressures. The conversation delve…
- Trump’s approach to global health, and the latest from COP30
This episode of "This Week in Global Development" discusses the Trump administration's new template for bilateral global health agreements and expert concerns. It also covers COP30 highlights, climate finance commitments, and progress, que…
- Special edition: Can AI safely support mental health?
This special episode of This Week in Global Development discusses the potential for artificial intelligence to safely support mental health care globally. It examines how AI tools could extend care access while also considering the real ri…
- On the ground at COP30: The latest on climate finance and deciphering the jargon
This episode covers COP30 in Belém, Brazil, discussing climate finance, the loss and damage fund, and multilateral development bank actions. It also breaks down climate jargon for a global development audience.
- Special edition: Innovation in Action - Scaling Climate Solutions from the Ground Up
This special episode of This Week in Global Development, filmed at COP30, discusses agricultural innovation and its role in helping farmers adapt to climate change. It features a conversation with Laurie Goodwin of CropLife International a…
- After 2025’s ‘seismic’ shock, what’s next for development and aid?
Devex and Radio Davos cohosted a discussion on the future of global development and aid, addressing financing challenges and the need to mobilize private capital. Experts Carla Haddad Mardini and Julienne Oyler shared insights on adapting…
- The potential exodus of NGOs from the US, and the rise of authoritarianism
This episode discusses the trend of U.S.-based international nonprofits establishing sister organizations abroad in response to an unpredictable political climate. It also covers takeaways from the Trust Conference on fighting autocracy an…
- Special episode: Pivotal Ventures on Funding the Future of Women’s Health
This episode explores how investing in women's health, particularly through initiatives like Pivotal Ventures' Action for Women's Health, addresses power, agency, and opportunity. The discussion highlights a $250 million global open call t…
- The impact of aid cuts: UN reform and the role of philanthropy
This episode of This Week in Global Development discusses the UN's reform plan, UN80, which aims to cut costs and increase efficiency due to funding cuts. It also examines how philanthropic organizations are stepping in to fund lifesaving…
- Live from the World Bank annual meetings: The debates dominating Washington
This episode, recorded live at the World Bank annual meetings, covers the shift in focus from climate change policy to energy security, the ongoing discussion on global job creation, and a U.S. representative's perspective on foreign assis…
- Special edition: A conversation with the Mines Advisory Group
This special episode features a conversation with Darren Cormack, CEO of the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), recipient of the 2025 Hilton Humanitarian Prize. They discuss the $3 million prize, the increasing risks of landmines in global confli…
- A look ahead to the World Bank and IMF meetings
This episode previews the World Bank and IMF annual meetings, discussing global growth, reforms in development banks, strategies to mobilize private capital, and diverse approaches to ESG and climate investment.
- Could taxes fix the global health funding crisis?
This episode examines the Accra Reset, an initiative aiming to reform development models and financing, as declining aid pushes African nations towards joint investment. It also analyzes the potential and limitations of taxes on tobacco, a…
- UNGA 80: Trump, climate, and the biggest headlines from the summit
This podcast episode focuses on the 80th UN General Assembly and Climate Week. It analyzes President Trump's statements on climate change and migration, alongside global efforts to reduce emissions, including China's climate action plan. T…
- Live from UNGA80: What's at stake for global development
This podcast episode features the Devex team at the 80th United Nations General Assembly, discussing critical global development topics like foreign assistance and UN reform. They explore the impact of U.S. policy shifts and identify poten…