This Week in Global Development

Live from UNGA80: What's at Stake for Global Development
Date: September 22, 2025
Hosts: Rumbi Chakamba, Raj Kumar, Colum Lynch

Episode Overview

In this special live episode recorded at UNGA80, the hosts and expert guests deliver an insightful and candid discussion on the current state and future of global development as viewed through the lens of United Nations reforms, severe budgetary cuts, the brewing race for Secretary General, and the shifting sands of global power dynamics. The panel explores high-stakes backstage negotiations, impending personnel and agency shake-ups, the role of women in top UN leadership, and how American and Chinese financing and policy set the tone for multilateralism worldwide. Listeners are treated to a pulse-check from the heart of the UN during a momentous, uncertain week.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Atmosphere at UNGA80: Tension, Drama, and Uncertainty

• US Funding Threats and Institutional Anxiety
  • Trump administration's deep cuts to the UN budget create anxiety and confusion, as US government rhetoric wavers between withdrawal and pragmatic engagement (eg. continued peacekeeping in South Sudan, new Haiti initiatives).
  • "Are the Americans on board for working and cooperating with... all its members, or is this going to be another kind of retreat by the Americans?" — Colum Lynch [01:20]
  • The ongoing issue of Palestine recognition is heating debates, with the US unhappy about European and Saudi/French moves in the Security Council.

2. Backstage: UN80 Reform – Dispute, Unrest, and Big Layoffs

• The Reform Plan – Mergers, Sunsets, and Staff Backlash
  • UN Secretary General’s proposal to merge UNDP and UNOPS, and sunset UNAIDS, described as potentially not "going anywhere near enough," and raising massive staff opposition.
  • "This reform does not go anywhere near enough because the budget cuts are going to be much worse than expected." — Raj Kumar [04:40]
  • Behind-the-scenes backlash due to fears of layoffs (tens of thousands globally), compounded by perceptions of an old-boys’ club protecting top jobs.
  • Noted: Agencies have autonomy and often resist central reform, with UNAIDS openly disputing the SG’s timeline.

3. Impending Secretary General Race: Process, Power, and the Search for a "Unicorn"

• A Race in the Shadow of Crisis
  • Process now more transparent: candidates must declare finances and campaign actively; General Assembly aiming for democratic legitimacy, but Security Council vetoes remain decisive.
  • The next SG must be acceptable to the US, Russia, China, while also charting a viable reform agenda.
  • "It's almost this impossible unicorn of a candidate..." — Raj Kumar [08:23]
  • Notably, former "star" candidates like Mia Mottley are now out of the frame, highlighting volatility.
  • Rumors swirl about Rafael Grossi and even a whisper campaign for former President Santos of Colombia.

4. Gender and Leadership: The Push (and Roadblocks) for a Woman SG

• Will the Glass Ceiling Finally Break?
  • A General Assembly resolution encourages women candidates, pushed by Latin American states, but resistance from the US and Russia is strong.
  • "It's been 80 years. There has never been a woman at the head of the United Nations." — Colum Lynch [12:36]
  • Grassroots and candidate movements try to keep pressure, but skepticism abounds.

5. Reform in Practice: Entrenched Power and the Money Game

• Do Real Changes Stand a Chance?
  • Past “reforms” have rarely delivered due to P5 protectionism (major powers keep their “cabinet” jobs) and internal politicking.
  • "You recognize that there will be, you know, a kind of an effort...and I've seen it so many times go through the final negotiating process with member states and...very difficult to come out of that process with a real, ambitious, transformative reform." — Colum Lynch [15:51]
  • US using its 22% budget share as leverage: "The Americans are in many ways in the driver's seat." — Raj Kumar [17:35]
  • But: China is now contributing 20% of the regular UN budget and 23% of the peacekeeping budget, gaining influence and staff positions.

6. The Bigger Picture: Future Multilateralism and the Role of Other Powers

• What If the US Walks Away?
  • Will other donors (Germany, UK, Canada, Norway, Mexico, Spain) step up, or will we enter a series of ever-deeper budget crises?
  • No clarity on US end goals — panelists suggest deep, repeated cuts could be ahead, unless a new coalition forms.

7. Is Crisis an Opportunity?

• Reform as Necessity and Innovation
  • Some see potential: "We kind of maybe need to use this moment to get a UN that better serves the people it's meant to serve…" — Raj Kumar [24:50]
  • UN’s inefficiency, top-heaviness, and failure to fund local humanitarian action are ripe for overhaul — but it’s a painful process.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Drama, drama, drama." — Rumbi Chakamba setting the tone for the week's stakes [03:19]
• "This institution...has lost a lot of public trust." — Raj Kumar on why a woman SG could restore faith [13:39]
• "Money has a way of focusing the mind." — Raj Kumar on the power of financial pressure for reform [17:35]
• "If the US is prepared to do that at home, why wouldn't they do it internationally?" — Colum Lynch on recent rapid US agency closures [23:36]
• "Maybe you actually end up with a more effective UN system at some stage down the road." — Raj Kumar on the possible opportunity in crisis [25:00]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:32 – UN financing in crisis; US stance and dilemma (Colum Lynch)
• 03:32 – Backstage dynamics, UN reform, and SG race (Raj Kumar)
• 05:48 – The complexity and limits of UN reform; contest for Secretary General (Colum Lynch)
• 11:25 – Why previously strong candidates (Mottley) faded out (Raj Kumar & Colum Lynch)
• 12:36 – Gender equity and leadership battles at the top (Raj & Colum)
• 15:51–18:00 – Reform cynicism, entrenched interests, and why “ambitious” change is so hard (Colum Lynch)
• 19:09 – Rise of China, shrinking Japanese/German contributions, and US/China staff rivalries (Colum Lynch)
• 21:46 – Are bigger cuts coming? And could new donor coalitions form? (Raj Kumar)
• 24:50–26:10 – Opportunity in crisis, inefficiencies, and the hope for a better UN (Raj Kumar)
• 26:28–28:43 – What to watch this week: SG candidates’ campaigns, US officials’ intentions, contentious migration and free speech debates

What to Watch This Week (from the Hosts)

• Talks with Secretary General candidates and their campaign strategies (Raj Kumar) [26:28]
• Statements and speeches by Trump and US officials, signaling future global policy (Colum Lynch) [27:09]
• Thematic focus: migration, free speech, anti-abortion policy, and the possible internationalization of new US stances [28:00]

Tone & Style

Conversational, candid, and filled with insider perspective, the episode balances sharp analysis with honest pragmatism — blending weary reformer skepticism, realpolitik insights, a sense of UN history, and calls for bold new leadership.

This episode is an essential listen for anyone tracking the future of international cooperation, institutional reform, and the evolving role of power at the UN. With the stakes of UNGA80 higher than ever, the podcast provides a front-row seat to history in the making.