Center for Global Development
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Center for Global Development
@cgdev.org
The leading think-and-do tank for #globaldev🌍 Celebrating 20+ years of independent research & ideas for global prosperity.
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Follow us here for our latest work on reducing global poverty & improving lives through innovative economic research that drives better policy.🌍
www.cgdev.org
Center For Global Development
The Center for Global Development works to reduce global poverty and improve lives through innovative economic research that drives better policy & practice.
www.cgdev.org
The World Bank plans to “operationally align” its research arm. But the changes could undermine its ability to deliver rigorous, independent analysis free from client or internal pressure.

More from @charlesjkenny.bsky.social and @eeshani.bsky.social ⬇️
https://go.cgdev.org/43vNSgK
The World Bank Group Reorganization: A Retreat from Research Quality?
A recent PowerPoint presentation presents the outline for the institutional structure of “The WBG Knowledge Bank.” But a knowledge bank owes it to its stakeholders impartial and transparent considerat...
go.cgdev.org
November 24, 2025 at 8:59 PM
The cost of AI access has plummeted, but 1.7B mobile phones w/o internet are still shut out. High SMS markups make text-based AI unaffordable, blocking services from health to agriculture.🌐

Daniel Björkegren maps out the costs by country & what can be done:
https://go.cgdev.org/4828EHy
SMS Charges May Be Inhibiting the Use of AI for 1 Billion People
Smartphone users across the globe increasingly have access to a variety of services that make use of AI, but high markups on text messages will prevent the world’s poorest from making use of the techn...
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November 24, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Reposted by Center for Global Development
How does your country rank on its effort on international development?

For over 20 years, we assessed policies. This edition sees an unprecedented drop in efforts, with 24 of 38 countries regressing.

But there are neglected areas beyond aid - policymakers and advocates should think more broadly.
As aid budgets decline, the ways rich countries are driving development are more important than ever.

🌟NEW: @cgdev.org’s Commitment to Development Index ranks the world’s richest nations, spotlighting impacts on the poorest & where nations can step up ⬇️🧵#CDI2025
go.cgdev.org/49ZJoD5
Commitment to Development Index 2025
With levels of development finance falling, it is more important than ever to look beyond aid. The Commitment to Development Index (CDI) does just that—ranking the world’s most powerful countries on p...
go.cgdev.org
November 20, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Reposted by Center for Global Development
Always love playing around with the #CDI2025 data. This year, Germany scores a whopping 100% on the migration indicator, with Czechia, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Sweden rounding out the top 10. The UK all the way down in 22, and the US further behind...

www.cgdev.org/cdi#/
November 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by Center for Global Development
Delighted that the #CDI2025 has launched today. It contains a whole load of data about what countries are doing for development, including some (we think politically feasible) ideas about where advocates and policymakers could focus their efforts in the context of shrinking aid budgets.
As aid budgets decline, the ways rich countries are driving development are more important than ever.

🌟NEW: @cgdev.org’s Commitment to Development Index ranks the world’s richest nations, spotlighting impacts on the poorest & where nations can step up ⬇️🧵#CDI2025
go.cgdev.org/49ZJoD5
Commitment to Development Index 2025
With levels of development finance falling, it is more important than ever to look beyond aid. The Commitment to Development Index (CDI) does just that—ranking the world’s most powerful countries on p...
go.cgdev.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:40 PM
With the green transition high on the agenda at today's AU-EU summit, Euan Ritchie urges the EU to ensure that its pivot towards more aid in its neighborhood doesn’t jeopardize its commitment to help the most at-risk countries adapt to climate change:
https://go.cgdev.org/4pkdZQ7
EU Adaptation Finance: Put Vulnerable Countries First
All else equal, adaptation finance should mostly be spent in the countries that are most vulnerable to climate change. Determining vulnerability isn’t easy; many indices attempt to measure it, and the...
go.cgdev.org
November 24, 2025 at 12:30 PM
The first African Union and European Union summit in three years starts today.🌍

In a new blog series, CGD experts explore what’s at stake for Africa and Europe—and what a stronger, fairer partnership could look like in practice:
https://go.cgdev.org/49votYw
EU-Africa Summit 2025
On 24–25 November 2025, leaders from the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) will meet in Angola for their first summit in three years. The last took place just after the COVID-19 pandemic ...
www.cgdev.org
November 24, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Four MDBs recently evaluated their gender & dev. work over the same period—offering a rare chance to compare progress.

At a @CGDev event on Nov. 5, evaluation heads from @adb.org, @ifad.org, the World Bank & @eib.org discussed similar findings & what can change next:
https://go.cgdev.org/4ifeIzX
Aligning Incentives for Gender Impact: Shared Insights from Four MDBs' Independent Evaluations
By fortunate coincidence, the independent evaluation offices of four multilateral development banks (MDBs) recently assessed progress in their institutions' gender and development work over roughly the same period--offering a unique opportunity to compa...
go.cgdev.org
November 22, 2025 at 1:14 AM
🌍Ahead of the #G20 summit in South Africa, @cgdev.org's Commitment to Development Index shows major economies backsliding on trade, technology, and other commitments that underpin global growth.

See where nations can step up—explore #CDI2025 ⬇️💡
https://go.cgdev.org/3XDK0a7
The Commitment to Development Index
The Commitment to Development Index ranks the world’s most powerful countries on their dedication to policies that affect more than 5 billion people living in poorer nations, scoring countries relativ...
www.cgdev.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:57 PM
🎧Tune in 👉Project Resource Optimization—an independent initiative hosted at CGD—is discussed as BBC Business Daily hosts examine the fallout from the cuts to US foreign aid.

Listen here! ⬇️
https://go.cgdev.org/44osMRM
BBC World Service - Business Daily, What's next for USAID funded projects?
We examine the fallout from the cuts to US foreign aid
go.cgdev.org
November 21, 2025 at 6:53 PM
"While some nations improved on migration or environment, overall the trend is backward with arms exports, trade barriers and fossil fuel subsidies all rising."

@ianmitchell1.bsky.social discusses @cgdev.org's Commitment to Development Index with @reuters.com ⬇️#CDI2025
https://go.cgdev.org/49w2AZ8
World's richest nations are pulling back from global development efforts, study shows
Two dozen of the world's richest nations, including the United States and Japan, are pulling back from their global development push, a study published on Thursday shows, with many slashing aid budgets and cash funnelled through multilateral lenders.
go.cgdev.org
November 20, 2025 at 9:14 PM
The North East Universities Development Consortium conference showcased 150+ new economic development studies.

@daveevansphd.bsky.social and Almedina Music break down 60+ of them, highlighting insights on childhood development, education, and more 👇
https://go.cgdev.org/43HWh0S
What’s the Latest Research on Human Development in Economics? A Roundup from NEUDC 2025
Earlier this month, the North East Universities Development Consortium annual conference hosted presentations of more than 150 recent economic development studies. We went through each of those 60+ st...
go.cgdev.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:49 PM
As aid budgets decline, the ways rich countries are driving development are more important than ever.

🌟NEW: @cgdev.org’s Commitment to Development Index ranks the world’s richest nations, spotlighting impacts on the poorest & where nations can step up ⬇️🧵#CDI2025
go.cgdev.org/49ZJoD5
Commitment to Development Index 2025
With levels of development finance falling, it is more important than ever to look beyond aid. The Commitment to Development Index (CDI) does just that—ranking the world’s most powerful countries on p...
go.cgdev.org
November 20, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Children with extreme exposure to lead are at risk of lifelong physical & mental disability. So why isn't treatment affordable?

@rachelbonnifield.bsky.social & Theo Mitchell call for affordable, quality-assured oral chelation drugs to reach the children who need them:
https://go.cgdev.org/3JY2eA8
Millions of Children Need Life-Changing Lead Poisoning Medicine. Why Isn’t It Affordable?
Children with extreme exposure to lead are at risk of lifelong physical and mental disability. The most practical treatment for this kind of exposure is oral chelation therapy—and we estimate there ar...
go.cgdev.org
November 20, 2025 at 3:06 PM
📅ICYMI: Experts joined @cgdev.org & @cgiar.org to examine climate vulnerability definitions, the limitations of existing vulnerability indices, the current patterns of adaptation finance, and more.

Watch the full conversation! ⬇️
https://go.cgdev.org/47GyaC9
November 19, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Are public sectors in developing countries ready to manage a surge in climate adaptation finance? #COP30

CGD experts outline the challenges countries face in absorbing large-scale investments—and why strengthening public investment systems is essential:
https://go.cgdev.org/4r6kRm4
Just Add Trillions? As Climate Finance Ambitions Grow, So Must Countries’ Investment Capacities
There is no disputing the fact that developing countries will require a massive infusion of financing to fund investments in climate adaptation and the transition to clean energy. Much of this financi...
www.cgdev.org
November 18, 2025 at 3:17 PM
World #AMR Awareness Week is here.💊🌍

To inform the design of a new IPEA on AMR, CGD, in coordination with 4 fellow organizations, produced research on lessons from panels, governance options, & translating evidence into policy. Follow the 🧵 for more ⬇️
https://go.cgdev.org/4pk9fKA
The AMR Panel Playbook: Eight Lessons for Building an Independent Panel on Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest health challenges of our time, responsible for 1.14 million deaths a year. Failure to keep resistance in check could lead to $1.7 trillion dollars...
go.cgdev.org
November 18, 2025 at 3:01 PM
📅 Happening today! Experts are convening in DC for CGD's 10th Annual Birdsall House Conference on Gender Equality. Together, thought leaders will work to keep gender equality at the heart of global development.

Starting at 9am ET. Watch LIVE! ⬇️
https://go.cgdev.org/4r1SDIX
November 18, 2025 at 12:30 PM
📅 TOMORROW ➡️ CGD holds the 10th Annual Birdsall House Conference on Gender Equality.

Experts are coming together in DC to examine key challenges & uncover strategies to keep gender equality at the heart of global development. Join us ⬇️
https://go.cgdev.org/4p5V6k9
November 17, 2025 at 4:46 PM
"The case for spending aid in the poorest countries is strong—it's where each $ spent can have the greatest effect on life expectancy...or economic growth."

@charlesjkenny.bsky.social on the vital role aid plays in LICs & the reasons why that's where we should spend it:
https://go.cgdev.org/3X01PzX
Aid Isn’t Fairy Dust
Long-term changes and the lessons of the past decade suggest rhetoric around what aid can accomplish needs to be dialed down. It is largely macroeconomically irrelevant in middle-income countries and ...
go.cgdev.org
November 17, 2025 at 4:46 PM
As #COP30 continues in Belém, @jonathanbeynon.bsky.social challenges a core narrative: developed countries aren’t responsible for the vast majority of historical emissions (just 37–41%). He argues old developed/developing distinctions are no longer fit for purpose:
https://go.cgdev.org/4r4jJzk
Emissions Myth-Buster: We All Know That Developed Countries Are Responsible for Climate Change, Right? Wrong!
The belief that developed countries are primarily responsible for climate change runs deep. UNFCCC climate negotiations—which have been characterized by deep divisions between “developed” and “develop...
go.cgdev.org
November 17, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Reposted by Center for Global Development
If you thought that climate change was all the fault of 'developed' countries, think again! That's NOT what data on GHG emissions since 1850 actually suggests. Old distinctions between developed and developing countries are no longer fit for purpose. Time to move on.
www.cgdev.org/blog/emissio...
Emissions Myth-Buster: We All Know That Developed Countries Are Responsible for Climate Change, Right? Wrong!
The belief that developed countries are primarily responsible for climate change runs deep. UNFCCC climate negotiations—which have been characterized by deep divisions between “developed” and “develop...
www.cgdev.org
November 14, 2025 at 3:07 PM
PEPFAR is at an inflection point as the US moves toward country ownership & more gov-to-gov support—alongside reduced financial assistance. In a new brief, @rachelbonnifield.bsky.social & @jmadankeller.bsky.social outline a 3-track framework for a responsible transition:
https://go.cgdev.org/4oDrN8v
Tough Times, Tough Choices: Charting PEPFAR’s Next Chapter While Safeguarding its Legacy
The Trump administration and key congressional lawmakers are shaping a new US government approach to the future of PEPFAR, alongside other global health programs like malaria and tuberculosis. We prop...
go.cgdev.org
November 14, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Next week! CGD is holding our 10th Annual Birdsall House Conference on Gender Equality.

Experts will gather to examine key challenges, share research, & uncover practical strategies to keep gender equality at the heart of global development. Happening Nov. 18➡️RSVP:
https://go.cgdev.org/4p5V6k9
November 14, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Reposted by Center for Global Development
📣Excited to share new @cgdev.org research w co-conspirators @clemencelanders.bsky.social & Rowan Rockafellow exploring an alternative funding path for the Global Fund in a shrinking aid landscape

Full disclosure, it's a bit wonky🤓 so hang on for the ride

Summary blog: www.cgdev.org/blog/weather...
November 13, 2025 at 9:30 PM