Development in the Age of Geopolitical Disruption

2025 will be remembered as a turning point when the global development agenda was fundamentally derailed by shifting geopolitical realities. International programmes for sustainable development were abruptly dismantled, and critical funding was withdrawn from lifesaving initiatives in health, human rights, education, climate resilience, and food security. Traditional donor countries shifted priorities, substantially increasing defence budgets while slashing commitments to development assistance. The Sustainable Development Goals are alarmingly off-track, and established models of international development and aid are facing increased scrutiny for their real-world impact, fairness, and adaptability. The Global South, confronted by urgent development and environmental crises, must now innovate, pursuing new alliances, creative financial frameworks, and robust South–South cooperation to fill the expanding gap left by the retreating Global North.

How can developing countries build resilient strategies, innovative partnerships and alternative financing models for development in the face of increased geopolitical competition?

In what ways should international development frameworks evolve to remain effective and equitable under new geopolitical realities?

What lessons can be learned from recent setbacks in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and how can nations refocus efforts amid rising uncertainty?

Speakers

Pamla Gopaul, Senior Program Manager, African Union Development Agency - NEPAD

Camila Crescimbeni, Chief Business Development Officer & Head of Institutional Relations, The Future Co.- Ending Poverty Today, Argentina

Uzoamaka Ugochukwu, Country Director, Management, Precision Development, Nigeria

Mandira Bagwandeen, Lecturer, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

Moderator

Jackline Kagume, Programme Officer, Constitution, Law and Economy Program, Institute of Economic Affairs, Kenya

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