As we approach the 2030 deadline, a sobering reality is becoming clear: The financing gap for the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals now stands at over $4 trillion annually.
But the challenges go deeper than funding. Traditional donors — including the United States and the United Kingdom — are pulling back, while trust in multilateralism erodes. This has sparked a fundamental debate: Are the SDGs still our best shot at collective progress, or a relic of a more optimistic era?
As global development enters a new era, our reporting is highlighting how new players — from emerging economies to regional partnerships — are stepping up with innovative financing and technology-driven solutions. We delve into the conversations that will shape the future of the sector. This is not just a policy debate; it's about how the world will work together to solve our most pressing challenges.
About the author
Thomas Cserep
Thomas Cserép is an Associate Editor who manages and oversees Devex's social media presence, coordinates Devex’s audience outreach, and produces the This Week in Global Development podcast. Prior to Devex, he worked as a freelance journalist, with his writings appearing in a variety of publications, including Get Spanish Football News and the magazine of the Hungarian Geographic Society.
