Development Futures: United Nations’ reform and relevance
From Development Futures by Lowy Institute
November 18, 2025 · 30 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the United Nations' reforms and challenges amid budget cuts and geopolitical dynamics.
The United Nations is facing two simultaneous disruptions: the planned UN80 reforms, timed to refine the organisation’s structure and mandate during its 80th anniversary, and budget cuts led by the Trump administration. Lowy Institute Research Fellow Grace Stanhope speaks with UN financing expert and author Dr Ronny Patz, and Ryan Neelam, the Lowy Institute’s Director of Public Opinion and Foreign Policy, about the financial viability and geopolitical dynamics of the UN. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
People in this episode
Host: Grace Stanhope
Guests: Dr Ronny Patz, Ryan Neelam
Topics covered
- UN reforms
- budget cuts
- geopolitical dynamics
- financial viability
- public opinion
- foreign policy
Keywords
- United Nations
- reforms
- budget cuts
- geopolitical dynamics
- financial viability
- Grace Stanhope
- Dr Ronny Patz
- Ryan Neelam
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: United Nations, Lowy Institute, Trump administration
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