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Making US global development structures and functions fit for purpose

A 2021 agenda

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sUMMARY

The United States and the world are facing a confluence of transnational challenges most of which have development at their core, from the more traditional development task of poverty alleviation and economic growth, both now suffering severe setback from COVID-19; to gender and racial equality and equity, insufficient progress on which the pandemic has laid bare; to the existential threat to the earth of climate change.

The U.S. is addressing these 21st century challenges with weak and poorly designed developmental and diplomatic structures.

This paper identifies both short-term, incremental fixes and more ambitious, longer-term ways in which the development function can be strengthened and enhanced. Its companion diplomacy calls out for a parallel redesign.

Download the full working paper