The CGD Podcast

Katrina Sill, Global Health and Development Lead at Founders Pledge, discusses the transformative nature of philanthropy in a rapidly changing global landscape. She shares insights on their new Catalytic Impact Fund, emphasizing the importance of high-leverage opportunities and systemic change. Katrina highlights the necessity of rapid response to aid disruptions, balancing immediate needs with long-term resilience. She also addresses the role of risk in philanthropy, detailing how to measure impact and the relevance of partnerships with the private sector for sustainable solutions.

From chatbots supporting new mothers and nutrition coaches guiding families, to tutoring tools for children and apps advising farmers, artificial intelligence is beginning to find its place in development. But is it ready—and are we? In this episode of the CGD Podcast, I'm joined by Temina Madon, Executive Director of the Agency Fund, and Han Sheng Chia, CGD Fellow and Director of our new AI initiative. We discuss where AI shows promise—from health and education to livelihoods and agriculture—what risks it could amplify, and how the development community can ensure these technologies improve lives rather than deepen inequalities.

CGD's Rachel Glennerster speaks with Lord Jim O'Neill and Dr. Akhil Bansal on the nature and scale of the problem of neonatal sepsis, how an advance market commitment could help incentivize the development of a diagnostic, and what steps policymakers can take to help save newborn lives.

Manuel Orozco, Director at the Inter-American Dialogue and a remittances expert, shares insights on the crucial role remittances play in supporting families in low and middle-income countries. He highlights the implications of a new U.S. tax on these financial lifelines and discusses strategies to boost their impact on economic resilience. Orozco also explores how digital advancements are transforming remittance behaviors and emphasizes the need for innovative development policies that support human capital investment, particularly in fragile states.

Dirk Meyer, Director General of Germany's BMZ, and Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, Chief Executive of the South African Institute for International Affairs, dive into crucial climate finance discussions. They explore the challenges and opportunities following the 2025 Development Leaders Conference. Topics include balancing climate mitigation with adaptation, the role of private sector funding, and innovative strategies for Africa’s unique climate hurdles. They also emphasize the importance of global cooperation and agility in navigating these complex and uncertain times.

In this engaging discussion, Rob Rosenbaum and Caitlin Tulloch, both from the Project Resource Optimization (PRO) team, share their insights into preserving vital USAID programs amid funding cuts. They delve into innovative strategies for prioritizing health and humanitarian initiatives, emphasizing the importance of cost-effectiveness in project selection. Their experiences in international health work bring humor to the conversation, revealing the unpredictability of the field. They also touch on the need for political reforms to enhance U.S. foreign policy impact.

CGD's Sanjeev Gupta and Benedict Clements of Universidad de Las Américas discuss the considerations that influence the design of sound monetary and fiscal policies, the role of income taxes, and the kinds of reforms that can bring equity to both emerging and advanced economies.

As the second season of Pandemic Proof comes to a close, host Javier Guzman reflects on the progress made in pandemic preparedness since COVID-19, the challenges we still face, and the rapidly shifting global landscape that will shape what comes next.

Ahead of the African Development Bank's presidential election in May, CGD's Karen Mathiasen and AfriCatalyst's Daouda Sembene interview three of the candidates – Amadou Hott, Samuel Munzele Maimbo, and Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala – on their priorities for the Bank and their views on how to help steer countries through a volatile and uncertain time and achieve their development goals.

Takahiro Tsuda and Atsushi Mimura from the Japanese Ministry of Finance join Javier Guzman to examine current funding mechanisms for pandemic preparedness and response, explore Japan's role in driving global efforts (and insights gained), and discuss potential pathways to strengthen PPR financing.