ODI Global

📣 Happening today! The Gender Equality and Social Inclusion team at ODI Global along with Equal Measures 2030 is convening a High-Level Dialogue on Keeping the promise of Beijing+30: who will lead on global gender rights in a time of backlash? We are gathering to take stock of stalled progress on #genderrights and explore how leaders can work together to reverse this dispiriting global trend. Our esteemed panel of state actors will discuss the role of governments, #multilateral institutions, and civil society in defending gender rights and ensuring global commitments are met. The stakes for gender equality are higher than ever as the #BeijingDeclaration's 30th anniversary draws near. Who will take the lead in countering the international backlash against gender rights? Sara Pantuliano | Julisa Tambunan | Peter Derrek Hof | #XimenaFuentes | Alicia Herbert (OBE) | Ayesha Khan #Beijing30 #GenderEquality #FeministLeadership #ODIEvents #CSW69

The digital revolution is powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Across the Commonwealth, nations are harnessing its potential for economic growth and social progress. Join ODI Global and The Commonwealth Secretariat on 4 March 2025 for an insightful webinar exploring the transformative power of the Commonwealth AI Consortium (CAIC). Speakers: 🔹 Jodie Keane, Senior Research Fellow, ODI Global (Moderator) 🔹 Suresh Yadav, Senior Director a.i. for Trade, Oceans and Natural Resources and lead on AI and Digital Transformation, Commonwealth Secretariat 🔹 Radika Kumar, Adviser, Artificial Intelligence and Transformative Technology, Commonwealth Secretariat 🔹 Alberto Francesco Lemma, Research Fellow, ODI Trade and Economic Development Discover how the CAIC is fostering sustainable development through AI adoption, focusing on small states and vulnerable economies. We'll explore: ▪️ The CAIC's mission, objectives and action plan ▪️ Its role in the global AI landscape ▪️ Opportunities for collaboration and leveraging AI for positive impact ▪️ Ethical considerations and potential challenges Register now: https://lnkd.in/e_PhGJmQ #Commonwealth #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalTransformation #SustainableDevelopment #TechForGood

New blog! 🚨 The 5th Finance in Common Summit (FiCS) will be held next week in Cape Town, co-hosted by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) with the support of Agence Française de Développement. Among the many agenda items, the summit will seek to scale 'country platforms' to help developing countries secure finance on better terms for their climate and development priorities. The country platform model has gained momentum over the past three years, with eight platforms announced since South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Partnership. What lessons can be learned, and can they fulfil their promise? Read the blog: https://lnkd.in/eJ-Fgw9q 🖋️ Amy Cano Prentice, Shandelle Steadman and Archie Gilmour

We’re pleased to announce that economist Amanda Rowlatt has been appointed a Trustee on the ODI Global Board! Amanda currently also serves as Vice Chair of CNWL NHS Health Charity and Deputy Chair of Brunel University of London. She was a Chief Analyst and Chief Economist in the UK Government for over 15 years, working across various departments. With extensive experience of serving in economics-based non-executive and advisory roles, Amanda will help shape our forward-looking agenda for a more just and equitable world. She joins us at a critical juncture for the global economy, and her insights and expertise will prove invaluable. A warm welcome to our Board, Amanda!

For decades, US foreign aid has played a vital role in humanitarian assistance, development and global security. But last month, the US government – the world’s biggest aid donor – announced a sudden 90-day freeze on foreign aid. The brutal shutdown of USAID will have a devastating impact on communities globally who depend on it to survive, as well as the global development sector more broadly. In the days following the decision, the harm was already visible. Reports show that antiretroviral drugs for HIV patients ran out, landmine clearance efforts stopped, and critical humanitarian operations were left in limbo. In a new episode of Think Change, experts formerly at USAID join our host and Chief Executive Sara Pantuliano to discuss implications and what should come next. Featuring Elizabeth Campbell (Executive Director, ODI Global Washington), Sarah Charles (Former Assistant to the Administrator, Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, USAID) and Kate Almquist Knopf (Former Assistant Administrator for Africa, USAID). Listen here, or find Think Change on your preferred podcast app: https://lnkd.in/eFQKVnPE 🎧 #ThinkChangePodcast #USAID #ForeignAid #GlobalDevelopment

Three days to go! ⏳ On 18 February, we are hosting a High-Level Dialogue with Equal Measures 2030, bringing together a distinguished panel of state actors and gender experts to tackle a critical question: who will lead on global gender rights in a time of backlash? Ahead of CSW69 and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, the stakes for gender equality have never been higher. The need for unified, multilateral leadership is more critical than ever. Join us to hear exclusive insights from this timely conversation. 📍 In-person in London | Networking reception to follow 🔗 Register now to secure a final spot: https://buff.ly/41iSkOf #CSW69 #BeijingDeclaration #Beijing30 #WomensRights #GenderEquality

In a year marked by unprecedented elections and escalating threats to democracy, this new research couldn’t be more timely. 🚨 Our Gender Equality & Social Inclusion team has been leading work to examine how the anti-gender backlash and democratic backsliding are deeply intertwined. Whilst much research focuses on how democracies decay, fewer studies explore how democracies survive. This new report by Ayesha Khan and Sam Sharp provides the evidence to show how feminist mobilisations are a critical buffer against authoritarianism – often driving demands to protect democratic principles, promote secularism and build inclusive societies. The research explores how women’s movements in Argentina, Iran, Sudan and Pakistan are on the frontlines of democratic struggles – even in the face of increasing backlash from politicised religion and authoritarian politics. As this backlash intensifies globally, ignoring their role is a failure to understand that women’s movements are not just about gender rights – but about strengthening democracy itself. Download the full paper: https://buff.ly/4gDKsfx 🔗

“Around Palestine and the Middle East, writ large, there's always a lot of external actors who have their solutions and their ideas and their prescriptions.”    The scale of destruction in Gaza is apocalyptic. As decision-makers start to plot a path to recovery, a long-standing pattern persists: external actors dictating the future of Palestinian people, often without considering their aspirations or vision.    In Davos last month, our Chief Executive Sara Pantuliano emphasised the critical need to keep Palestinian voices at the forefront of shaping the path forward, whilst delivering justice and accountability for violations of international law that have taken place.    Watch the full video to hear why the voices of Palestinian civil society, academics, businesses and the diaspora must drive the future of Gaza: https://buff.ly/4gZgeEX 

📢 “So many people around the world depend so much on us, we can’t fail them, and that’s what I intend to do for the next four years, to be truthful and impactful.”   Earlier today ODI Global had the privilege of hosting the first Executive Director of the #LossAndDamageFund, Mr. Ibrahima Cheikh DIONG.   Mr. Diong's leadership comes at a pivotal moment as the Fund, first established at #COP27 in 2022, moves towards becoming fully operational in 2025—marking a critical milestone in addressing climate-related loss and damage 🚨   In an insightful discussion with ODI Global’s Emily Wilkinson, Mr. Diong shared his pragmatic vision for what is needed to respond effectively to #LossandDamage, the key challenges that lie ahead, and the critical action and frameworks needed over the next year to ensure that the developing nations which suffer the most from climate impacts, receive the resources they urgently need.   👉 If you missed it, watch the full event here: https://lnkd.in/efdNBJT2

Gender equality is "an essential lever to effective development work and to tackling poverty", but today women's rights are under attack globally. On our latest Think Change podcast, Sofia Sprechmann Sineiro (Chair of Pledge for Decolonising Aid) highlights how confronting this backlash on rights and advancing gender equality isn't just a moral imperative. It's a cornerstone of growth, and fundamental to eradicating poverty. Listen to the episode for insights on how to fix a system that fuels rampant inequality: https://lnkd.in/eKmNN_9A #ThinkChangePodcast #GenderEquality #Poverty #Inequality