Policy Updates

On June 4, 2025, new findings from the Global Climate and Health Alliance showed that only 21 of 195 countries party to the UNFCCC Paris Agreement have submitted updated NDCs for 2035, nearly four months past deadline with most NDCs mentioning health benefits, such as reduced air pollution, but few including systems to track health outcomes.

The GCHA reviewed 11 countries’ NDCs and found that while many reference health benefits, only the UK’s plan includes specific air quality monitoring. Kenya’s NDC aims for 100% renewable energy and a 35% emissions cut by 2035, yet does not explicitly measure air pollution benefits. Brazil’s NDC focuses on deforestation and fossil fuel transition but lacks clarity on new oil extraction and zero deforestation pledges. The US, after submitting its plan, has withdrawn its targets, weakening global momentum.

Recent NDCs highlight varied approaches: New Zealand targets “super pollutants” but is seen as unambitious; Japan’s continued fossil fuel use has significant health impacts; Canada is phasing out coal; and the UAE is developing a national monitoring system. However, most plans fall short of the 1.5°C goal, with the UK as a notable exception.

The World Bank estimates that halving global exposure to dangerous air pollution by 2040 would require annual investments to rise from US$9 billion in 2020 to US$14 billion in 2040. Despite this, climate finance commitments remain inadequate, and the ;abbrUS exit further strains resources.

On March 28, 2025, the US administration announced plans to merge USAID into the State Department, dissolving it as an independent agency and reducing staffing to a statutory minimum of 15 positions, and additionally detailed specific cuts to USAID grants and multilateral funding.

Congress must pass new legislation to officially eliminate the agency. The State Department will create an Office of Global Food Security to manage food security and humanitarian programs previously handled by USAID. The remaining global health programs will be supervised by the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy. Other programs will be managed by regional bureaus within the State Department.

Deputy administrator of policy and programs at USAID Jeremy Lewin informed staff that employment contracts would be severed by July 1 or September 2, 2025. By July 1, 2025, the State Department will fully take over USAID’s remaining programming. By September 2, 2025, USAID’s operations will transfer to State or shut down completely.

The administration also provided Congress with documents listing 5,341 terminated USAID programs and 898 active ones, detailing that 86% of programs have been terminated, slightly more than the 83% cut reported on March 10, 2025. The total value of terminated programs is US$75.9 billion, with US$48.2 billion already obligated and US$27.7 billion yet to be assigned.

UN institutions and other multilaterals saw steep cuts, with terminated awards totaling US$4.1 billion to 14 UN agencies, the IBRD, and Gavi.

On December 3, 2024, USAID and NASA announced the expansion of its SERVIR program to include a new hub in Central America.

The hub works at the local, national, and regional level to allow evidenced-based decision making to address issues such as deforestation, soil erosion, and degradation of coastal ecosystems. The hub works with a range of institutions, governments, and communities providing opportunities to young people and others to use tools in STEM. The hub will expand satellite data and geospacial technologies to better equip the region in addressing environmental challenges with an initial investment of US$7 million.

SERVIR hubs are already operating in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

On December 3, 2023, US President Joe Biden pledged US$1 billion in assistance to address food insecurity and other needs of internally displaced persons and refugees across 31 countries in sub-Saharan Africa during his trip to Angola.

This announcement is part of Biden's 2022 commitment at the US-African Leaders Summit to help communities tackle food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa.

The assistance, along with previous commitments by the US, offers a range of services, including emergency assistance, health, WASH, education, and shelter. This additional assistance brings the total humanitarian assistance in FY2024 to nearly US$6.6 billion.

During the same visit, Biden announced that USAID is elevating its presence in Angola to a USAID mission.

On November 22, 2024, USAID announced a number of new commitments and a progress report on its climate work at COP29.

USAID announced a pledge of US$54 million for blended finance partnerships to provide catalytic investments for climate finance vehicles and investment funds in coastal and marine natural capital. The blended finance package also included US$28 million for Columbia Invest for Climate and US$6 million for a green partnership in Southeast Asia. Further investments supported climate-resilience and reduced emissions in agriculture and food systems in Africa.

USAID added to the investments in the US president’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience, investing a total of US$83 million for early warning systems in 30 countries..

Other investments included:

• US$12 million for the Climate Smart and Disaster Ready program in regions across the globe;
• More support for green energy transitions in Asia;
• A joint USAID and NASA investment in Central America to help manage and prepare for climate risks;
• A contribution from Power Africa of US$410 million to the GVCA funding window; and
• An US$11 million commitment from USAID to champion women decision-makers in responding to climate crises.

On November 14, 2024, USAID announced a series of investments totaling US$54 million with the private sector to mobilize climate finance at COP29.

Building on previous successes which mobilized US$30 billion for climate finance to address development since 2021, USAID announced US$9 million for USAID's EDGE Fund, all for different investments in climate funds.

USAID will also invest US$28 million for the Columbia Invest for Climate activity and an additional US$6 million to the Partnership for Green Investments in Southeast Asia.

On November 11, 2024, Japan and the US released it's strategy to enable the ADB to increase climate-related lending by up to US$7.2 billion over the next five years.

Japan has committed a sovereign guarantee of US$600 million, while the US provides US$1 billion, marking the first-ever use of sovereign guarantees specifically for climate finance. These guarantees will allow the ADB to lend more for climate initiatives without requiring new capital from member countries, setting a precedent for other development banks to follow.

This initiative supports the ADB’s long-term goal of providing US$100 billion in climate finance by 2030. Projects benefiting from this expanded lending include a sustainable aviation fuel program in Pakistan, partially funded by US$45 million from the ADB under this scheme. The guarantees will extend for 25 years, providing stability for long-term climate investments while addressing pressing environmental challenges in affected nations.

Japan’s leadership in this effort aligns with its broader commitment to addressing global climate issues. The ADB is sharing its model with other MDBs, including the WB and EIB, to enhance climate-related financing mechanisms. This approach responds to the estimated need for over US$2 trillion annually by 2030 to enable LMICs to transition to clean energy and adapt to a changing climate.

On November 6, 2024, the results of the 2024 US Presidential Election were announced, with former US President Donald Trump (Republican) as the winner, leaving many development experts to speculate on how the upcoming Trump administration will impact US development policies and funding.

From his previous term in 2016-2020, Trump was not supportive of the multilateral system, including the UN. Many of his previous decisions were reversed by the Biden administration, such as budget cuts to USAID, and will likely be reinstated upon his return to office.

Trump's presidency could impact Global Health in particular by once again withdrawing from the WHO, reinstating the Global Gag, and cutting funding for UNFPA. Climate funding, an already contentious issue on Capitol Hill, faces an uncertain future.

Localization is one of the areas where there may be bipartisan agreement. Faith-based organizations and private sector partners working with the DFC are also groups that may find favor in the next administration.

On October 31, 2024, a joint event by the CGD and the MFAN saw US development experts recommend priorities and policies for the next US administration. The discussion was framed by a set of detailed recommendations released by MFAN.

The document, Building on a Legacy of Progress: Opportunities to Reform U.S. Foreign Assistance, covers a range of issues, including improved coordination with other national and global partners, creating a stronger path for country partners to transition to self-reliance, catalyzing innovation and strategic risk taking, and elevating transparency and evidence for better accountability.

The event included remarks by two former USAID Administrators, Mark Green and Gayle Smith, followed by a panel of senior former US government officials who reflected on their own experience, the need for a stronger US development experts to recommend priorities and policies for development approaches that meet the times, and their priorities for the future.

On September 19, 2024, the US pledged an additional US$80 million in funding to Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia as part of the Feed The Future program which supports agricultural growth and resilient food systems using the Feed the Future Accelerator.

This is in response to the needs created by Russia's invasion of Ukraine as well as the impact of recent droughts and macroeconomic shocks.

The Accelerator will support the growth of a regional breadbasket by combining the region's fertile land, its diverse farming systems, and reform-minded governments. This aims to stimulate economic growth and simultaneously improve the resilience of food producers.