Istanbul: Global development is facing a significant threat as financing declines and decades of progress stall, a senior United Nations Development Program (UNDP) official warned during the Istanbul Development Dialogues.
According to Anadolu Agency, Steliana Nedera, director of the UNDP Regional Hub in Istanbul, remarked that the development paradigm, as articulated in the last century, is no longer functioning as it did a decade ago. This shift is primarily due to a rapid decline in financing. She referenced estimates from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which predict a 17% reduction in global development funding by the end of 2025.
Nedera pointed out that several countries, previously major sponsors of development, have redirected their financing towards other priorities. Some have expressed skepticism about the efficacy of existing solutions, thus choosing to prioritize different initiatives.
The warnings from Nedera echo findings from a recent study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health. This research indicated that significant cuts in foreign aid from the US and key European countries could result in 22.6 million preventable deaths in developing countries by 2030, including 5.4 million children under the age of five. This marks a notable decline in aid, the first in nearly three decades from donors like Britain, Germany, France, and the US.
The UNDP's 2025 Global Human Development Report also highlights the slowing of global growth and stagnation or decline in human development. Released in May, the report cautioned that decades of progress have come to a halt, with the world struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises.
Nedera noted that some countries are grappling with conflict, crisis, or a brain drain, putting global achievements at risk. She identified the inequality gap and climate change as major challenges, as communities struggle with growth, job losses due to artificial intelligence or digital solutions, and worsening water shortages and extreme weather.
Despite these global challenges, Nedera expressed that the UNDP's work in Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia remains stable, thanks to diverse funding from government resources, international financial institutions, and private-sector partnerships.
In Trkiye, the UNDP has been active for over 50 years, focusing on economic planning, poverty reduction, disaster risk reduction, women's empowerment, and green transition efforts. Nedera highlighted Trkiye's recent achievements in energy efficiency and renewable energy, noting the country's commitment to reaching net-zero emissions by 2053.
The 2025 Istanbul Development Dialogues, held under the theme "Shaping Development Futures," marked its 10th anniversary this year. Organized by the UNDP in partnership with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and supported by Trkiye's Foreign Ministry, the event featured discussions on development trends across Europe and Central Asia.
Nedera emphasized the significance of Istanbul as a meeting point, connecting Europe and Asia, and serving as a vital platform for new ideas and cross-border partnerships. Through the dialogues, officials from various countries have been able to collaborate and share solutions to common challenges.