Policy Updates

On May 27, 2025, Bond highlighted the UK government's opportunity to address global debt challenges as a countermeasure to the ODA cuts which are set to drop to 0.3% of GNI by 2027, and urged urgent action on debt to mitigate the impacts of reduced funding and growing climate and development crises.

The article emphasized the UK’s pivotal role, given its jurisdiction over sovereign debt contracts, and proposed reforms like a UN debt framework convention and improved transparency. It also advocated for legislative updates to compel private creditor participation in debt relief and measures to prevent liquidity crises in LICs.

Bond underscored that action on debt could restore fiscal space for developing nations, enabling investments in social services, climate adaptation, and economic development, while reinforcing the UK’s global leadership and commitment to poverty reduction.

On May 27, 2025, Norway formalized an agreement with Estonia under the EEA and Norway Grants, allocating EUR72 million (US$77 million) to support Estonia’s social and economic development. Norway will contribute 97% of the funding, with Iceland and Liechtenstein providing the remainder.

The initiative focuses on several priority areas, including the green transition, crisis prevention, health, and business development. It also aims to enhance Estonia’s physical and digital infrastructure, particularly for preserving cultural heritage during crises. Norwegian agencies such as the Directorate for Civil Protection and Innovation Norway will partner with Estonia to implement projects in energy efficiency, sustainable fisheries, and genetic medicine.

This agreement underscores Norway’s commitment to reducing social and economic disparities in Europe while fostering stronger bilateral ties with Estonia.

On May 27, 2025, the UK FCDO celebrated milestones of the LSAP in Belize, funded under the UKCIF, where the UK US$32million to the Coastal Road Upgrading Project aimed at boosting economic resilience and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities in Gales Point and Mullins River villages.

Achievements include formalizing 80 MSMEs, surpassing the target of 40. Of these, 43 are female-owned and 37 male-owned. Additionally, 72 participants received entrepreneurial development training, with 59 earning certification. A Buy Belizean exhibition featuring 14 MSMEs is scheduled for June 14, 2025, in Dangriga Town.

The initiative reflects a strong commitment to inclusive economic development, job creation, and community empowerment, showcasing the deep engagement of local communities and the success of UK -Belize partnerships.

On May 22, 2025, Norway and the UNDP signed a framework agreement to develop a Renewable Energy Master Plan for Syria led by Norway’s Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust and UNDP Resident Representative Sudipto Mukerjee, which aims to address Syria’s energy crisis by promoting sustainable energy solutions.

The 12-month plan will outline Syria’s future energy needs, the role of renewable sources, and key measures like aligning regulations with international standards and creating a robust legal framework. Priority areas include improving energy access, reducing import dependency, fostering economic growth through job creation, and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.

Integrated with Syria’s National Electricity Master Plan, the project will assess renewable energy potential, enhance energy efficiency, and develop technical capacity in renewable technologies. This collaboration underscores Norway and UNDP’s commitment to advancing Syria’s recovery and sustainable energy transformation while addressing climate challenges.

On May 21, 2025, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares met with Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez in Madrid to discuss their strong bilateral relations and regional issues in Latin America, highlighting Spain’s 35-year cooperation with the Dominican Republic and over EUR125million (US$135 million) committed to development assistance focused on institutional strengthening, gender equality, and reducing inequalities.

Albares emphasized Spain’s commitment to strengthening economic and investment ties in the Dominican Republic. Discussions also included Spain’s support for Haiti’s stability through a EUR4 million (US$4 million) contribution to the Multinational Security Support Mission, advocating for its conversion into a UN peacekeeping operation.

The ministers reviewed upcoming international events in Spain, including the 4^th International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville and the 2026 Ibero-American Summit in Madrid.

On May 21, 2025, the Australian Government welcomed the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, marking a significant advancement in global pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, incorporating lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on multi-sectoral disease surveillance and equitable vaccine access.

Australia, as Vice-Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body, played a key role in representing the Western Pacific region. While the agreement has been adopted, technical details remain to be finalized, and Australia will commence its treaty-making process after the agreement opens for signature, expected by mid-2026.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized the importance of international health cooperation in addressing shared global challenges. Health Minister Mark Butler highlighted the inevitability of future pandemics, stressing the collective responsibility to safeguard public health. Once in force, the agreement will enhance Australia’s ability to mitigate pandemic risks while retaining full sovereignty over public health decisions.

On May 20, 2025, during a State Department budget hearing, several US Democrats on the Foreign Relations Committee expressed regret over US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's confirmation and sharply criticized recent action on foreign assistance.

The Trump administration took action to dissolve and integrate USAID into the State Department in early 2025, resulting in considerable reductions in the capacity to provide foreign assistance. Democrats contended that the elimination of USAID was unlawful and emphasized the adverse effects of reducing foreign assistance. Rubio was also accused by several Democrats of overstating the amount of wasted foreign assistance dollars.

Rubio challenged claims that diminished foreign assistances would cede influence to global competitors, asserting that the US will continue to be the largest foreign assistance contributor globally.

On May 20, 2025, US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr. criticized the WHO and asserted that it was unfit to lead global health cooperation in a video address shown at the 78^th WHA.

Kennedy asserted that the WHO has not addressed its COVID-19 failures or made significant reforms to its bureaucratic structure. He also criticized the agency's recently adopted pandemic agreement, reiterating the US will not participate. He acknowledged the WHO's historic role in smallpox eradication but claimed its priorities now reflect corporate medicine biases and political agendas, including promoting harmful ‘gender ideology.’

Kennedy urged national health ministers to join the US in a "new era of cooperation." The US did not send an official delegation to the WHA and withdrew from the WHO in January 2025.

On May 19, 2025, Japan committed US$17 million to support Ethiopia’s infectious disease control efforts through a bilateral agreement signed in Addis Ababa in which the funding will finance the construction and equipping of a specialized facility at St. Peter Hospital with advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies, enhancing Ethiopia’s capacity to manage infectious diseases.

The agreement, signed by Ethiopian Finance Minister Ahmed Shide and Japanese Ambassador Shibata Hironori, also prioritizes quality of care improvements, disease prevention, and capacity building. Shide described the initiative as a strategic investment in Ethiopia’s healthcare system, while Ambassador Hironori emphasized Japan’s commitment to Ethiopia’s development and global health contributions through platforms like GAVI and the Global Fund.

This collaboration underscores over a century of Ethiopia-Japan diplomatic relations and aligns with Japan’s broader efforts to strengthen Africa-Japan partnerships, including the upcoming TICAD 9 summit. The project aims to establish a center of excellence for infectious disease treatment, leveraging cutting-edge technology for efficient diagnosis and care.

On May 18, 2025, German Federal Minister of Health Nina Warken announced an additional EUR10million (US$11 million) in funding for the WHO ahead of the World Health Assembly, emphasizing Germany’s commitment to WHO reforms and pandemic preparedness following the US’ withdrawal from the organization.

The World Health Assembly, scheduled from May 19-27, 2025, will focus on adopting an international pandemic agreement. This agreement includes provisions to enhance global pandemic prevention, data sharing, and equitable vaccine access. Pharmaceutical companies will commit to donating 10% of vaccine production to WHO and selling another 10% at affordable prices for distribution to lower-income countries.

Germany’s contribution builds on its total funding of US$323 million for 2024–2025, underscoring its support for WHO’s core tasks, including global health monitoring and equitable healthcare access. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus praised Germany’s leadership in strengthening global health systems and pandemic resilience.