Best UNHCR Podcasts (2026)

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Inside Ukraine’s Displacement Crisis with UNHCR’s Lidiia Kuzmenko 53:37

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11d ago53:37

53:37

This episode of the Lawyering Peace Podcast’s Ukraine Series features an in depth conversation with Lidiia Kuzmenko, Protection Officer at the UNHCR Ukraine Country Office, on the profound human impact of internal displacement during Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. With more than five million people uprooted inside Ukraine, Lidiia offer…

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A lifetime championing refugees, with Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees 44:36

6d ago44:36

44:36

Filippo Grandi has devoted more than three decades to easing the suffering of refugees: "My pride after all these years is that the center of this effort of my lifetime has been on people, and especially on the people that suffer most in the world, including refugees." Now, shortly before his term comes to an end, and as more than 117 million peopl…

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This Week in Global Dev: #126: Forget quiet quitting, the State Dept appears to be quiet hiring 35:48

8d ago35:48

35:48

In our final episode of 2025, we discuss a tumultuous year in U.S. foreign assistance. It has not always been clear who is calling the shots in the new world of U.S. development funding, but we break down who we believe are the key players in this moment of uncertainty.We are also seeing that the State Department is rebuilding its workforce, and ac…

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A trapeze without a net: the life of the UN Spokesperson, with Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General 41:47

13d ago41:47

41:47

Every day at noon, Stéphane Dujarric steps on stage to field questions about the United Nations from international journalists. As spokesman for the Secretary-General, he must be ready to talk on all aspects of the organization's work at a time of unprecedented financial and political strain. "There is no way we can move forward in this world witho…

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This Week in Global Dev: #125: Kenya’s new deals with the US, and the latest on food aid cuts 30:59

17d ago30:59

30:59

The U.S. State Department has signed a bilateral agreement with Kenya, its first in its ongoing efforts to overhaul how it provides global health assistance. The United States said it will invest up to $1.6 billion over five years in the East African country, with the Kenyan government cofinancing the agreement with $850 million. We take a look at …

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UN Roundup 4:48

18d ago4:48

4:48

Learn about the events each week at the United Nations with Margaux Creagh and Katt Cullen. Margaux works within the Press and External Relations Team at the United Nations Information Service in Geneva. She is responsible for drafting press releases for the media, diplomatic representations, non-governmental organizations, and the public, on key m…

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Ukraine: 'Heaven and Hell', with Matthias Schmale - UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine 44:10

20d ago44:10

44:10

A life-long humanitarian, Matthias Schmale has borne witness to a number of seismic moments in world history. Currently United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, he is overseeing efforts to help Ukrainians prepare for a fourth winter at war. "The longer this lasts, the more the resilience will go down, the more the psychologi…

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This Week in Global Dev: #124: Impact of HIV funding cuts, and the rise of digital public infrastructure 31:54

26d ago31:54

31:54

We dig into the details of a new report published by UNAIDS, which found that donor funding cuts to the HIV response could lead to an additional 3.9 million new infections over the next five years, even if treatment coverage is maintained. The report, published on World AIDS Day 2025, called on governments to uphold human rights and urged funders t…

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This Week in Global Dev: #123: G20 politics, and the future of UNHCR 32:14

1M ago32:14

32:14

This week, we unpack the major storylines emerging from the G20 Summit — the first ever held on African soil — where South Africa used its presidency to spotlight debt, inequality, climate, and critical minerals, even as the United States chose not to attend. With global development at an inflection point, leaders leaned into questions of how multi…

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Survivor Centered Justice in Ukraine’s Path to Peace with Khrystyna Kit 48:54

1M ago48:54

48:54

This episode of the Lawyering Peace podcast focuses on one of the most crucial pillars of peace building in Ukraine: gender equality and the central role of women in shaping a just and durable peace. Dr. Paul R. Williams speaks with Dr. Khrystyna Kit, chairwoman of the Ukrainian Women Lawyers Association JurFem and expert adviser to the Prosecutor …

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This Week in Global Dev: #122: Trump’s approach to global health, and the latest from COP30 24:27

1M ago24:27

24:27

This week, we take a look at the details of the new template for bilateral agreements between the United States and partner governments, which sheds light on the ideas floating around the Trump administration on how it will engage with other countries when it comes to global health. However, experts are raising concerns around its implementation. I…

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Special episode: Can AI support mental health? 34:49

1M ago34:49

34:49

Special episode: Can AI support mental health? by DevexBy Devex

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This Week in Global Dev: #121: On the Ground at COP30: The latest on climate finance 36:50

2M ago36:50

36:50

This week we are on the ground at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP30, in Belém, Brazil, where the intense heat and daily thunderstorms offer an “immersive experience” of the climate crisis right at the conference’s doorstep. In this episode, hosted by Devex Executive Vice President and Executive Editor Kate Warren, reporter…

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Special Episode: Innovation in Action - Scaling Climate Solutions from the Ground Up 16:38

2M ago16:38

16:38

In this week’s special episode of the This week in global development podcast, filmed at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, and hosted in partnership with CropLife International, we explore the expanding role of agricultural innovation — including advances in plant science, crop protection, biotechnology, and digital and precision tools — in helping farmers a…

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This Week in Global Dev: #120: After 2025’s ‘seismic’ shock, what’s next for development and aid? 40:17

2M ago40:17

40:17

On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s Humanitarian and Resilience Investing Initiative’s Frontier Markets Impact Meeting in Geneva, Devex teamed up with Radio Davos for a special podcast episode. The conversation was cohosted by Devex President and Editor-in-Chief Raj Kumar and Radio Davos host Robin Pomeroy.Driven by shrinking government …

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This Week in Global Dev: #119: The potential exodus of NGOs from the US, and the rise of authoritarianism 31:58

2M ago31:58

31:58

This week, we reported that U.S.-based international nonprofits are looking into registering sister organizations overseas as they face an increasingly unpredictable political environment at home. Law firms in Canada and the United Kingdom confirm this trend, telling Devex they’ve seen increased interest from U.S. entities seeking to set up interna…

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Special episode: Pivotal Ventures on Funding the Future of Women’s Health 32:41

2M ago32:41

32:41

Special episode: Pivotal Ventures on Funding the Future of Women’s Health by DevexBy Devex

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This Week in Global Dev: #118: The impact of aid cuts: UN reform and the role of philanthropy 32:45

2M ago32:45

32:45

This week, we explore the ins and outs of UN80, the United Nations' reform plan to cut costs and boost efficiency. We outline what this initiative, drafted as a result of funding cuts to the institution, involves in practice.On the topic of foreign aid cuts, we have also been following the calls for philanthropy to fill the void left by traditional…

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This Week in Global Dev: #117: Live from the World Bank annual meetings: The debates dominating Washington 24:35

3M ago24:35

24:35

This week, we are on the ground at the World Bank-International Monetary Fund annual meetings, closely following the conversations that will shape the global development sector.As we note a reduced focus on climate change policy compared to previous years, we are tracking how the conversation is pivoting, with climate issues now being approached th…

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Special episode: A conversation with the Mines Advisory Group 24:13

3M ago24:13

24:13

Special episode: A conversation with the Mines Advisory Group by DevexBy Devex

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This Week in Global Dev: #116: A look ahead to the World Bank and IMF meetings 31:31

3M ago31:31

31:31

This week on the podcast, we unpack what to watch during the World Bank and International Monetary Fund annual meetings in Washington, D.C. — from shifting global growth forecasts to reforms across multilateral development banks. As the fall meetings kick off, leaders in development finance are looking closely at how the World Bank is reshaping its…

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Bri Stensrud, Director, Women of Welcome 49:00

3M ago49:00

49:00

By Sarah Little

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This Week in Global Dev: #115: Could taxes fix the global health funding crisis? 23:31

3M ago23:31

23:31

This week, we discuss the details of the “Accra Reset,” an effort to declare an end to the era of development-as-usual and to push for the creation of new governance, business, and financing models. With traditional donors cutting foreign assistance, African nations and others are using the initiative to jointly invest, design, and create solutions…

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This Week in Global Dev: #114: UNGA80: Trump, climate, and the biggest headlines from the summit 21:04

3M ago21:04

21:04

This week we are on the ground in New York to cover the 80th United Nations General Assembly and Climate Week. Our discussion breaks down President Donald Trump’s address at the summit, where he called climate change a hoax, denounced Europe’s energy policies, and focused on the urgent need to address uncontrolled migration.The global drive for emi…

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Live from UNGA80: What's at stake for global development 29:29

3M ago29:29

29:29

This week, the Devex team is on the ground at the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York. On the sidelines of the high-level talks, we are hosting a series of events with some of the most influential voices in global development at our dedicated venue, Devex Impact House. From the future of foreign assistance to the latest plan to reform …

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This Week in Global Dev: #113: A look ahead to the high-level meetings of 80th United Nations General Assembly 36:02

3M ago36:02

36:02

This week, we take a look at the key talking points ahead of the high-level meetings of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. From the Trump administration’s cutting of funding to international organizations to China’s desire to increase its influence at the U.N., we discuss the conversations that we will be following that are mo…

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On life's journey, make each step count, with Amina J. Mohammed - UN Deputy Secretary-General 41:21

3M ago41:21

41:21

How does one out of five sisters from rural Nigeria grow up to be UN Deputy Secretary-General? Blessed with tenacity, determination and grit, Amina Mohammed has always been driven to improve the lives of her fellow human beings and our planet. Rising to the top of the United Nations, her vision has helped shape the world's blueprint for a brighter …

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A ray of hope for cancer patients, with Dr. May Abdel-Wahab - Director of the Division of Human Health at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) 35:29

4M ago35:29

35:29

Whenever a new cancer patient entered her office in the U.S., Dr. May Abdel-Wahab knew she could help by palliating their pain and working towards a cure. Now, as Director of the Division of Human Health at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), she delivers hope to patients in places where treatment has until now been unavailable. "So much…

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This Week in Global Dev: #112: The Africa Climate Summit, and a new legal test for the Trump administration 28:49

4M ago28:49

28:49

This week, we were at the Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, closely following the stories that matter most to the global development community. From forging a unified voice ahead of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference to how carbon markets could transform climate action on the continent, we discuss the key takeaways from…

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This Week in Global Dev: Special episode: The US budget deadlock explained 35:06

4M ago35:06

35:06

The negotiation and approval of the U.S. budget is a complex process, filled with political bargaining and high-stakes showdowns that can have a profound impact far beyond Washington. This process directly shapes funding for foreign aid, global health, and humanitarian crises around the world.With the Trump administration proposing a “pocket rescis…

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Special episode: Beyond malaria: Africa’s shift to integrated mosquito management 35:24

4M ago35:24

35:24

For decades, Africa's malaria strategy has focused almost exclusively on disease control through indoor mosquito management and personal protection — bed nets, indoor spraying, and individual-level interventions. But this approach alone isn’t working. Progress against malaria in the African region has slowed significantly, with cases declining by j…

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This Week in Global Dev: #111: A new era at AfDB, and Trump’s rescission package 23:47

4M ago23:47

23:47

This week, Akinwumi Adesina stepped down as the chief of the African Development Bank after a 10-year tenure. He was replaced by Sidi Ould Tah at the helm of the institution, who is promising reform, new partnerships, and a focus on jobs — even as the bank confronts tight budgets and a looming African Development Fund replenishment.In the United St…

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Unpacking the Choose Africa campaign and what it means for the future of employment and youth empowerment in Africa 28:07

4M ago28:07

28:07

Welcome to Voices of Resilience Season 3, brought to you by Na'amal, a non-profit and social enterprise dedicated to empowering forcibly displaced individuals through dignified remote work. In this episode, we delve into the exciting and sometimes challenging landscape of AI and Africa's digital future. Co-hosted by Clay Lowe and Lorraine Charles, …

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Nothing keeps me awake, everything keeps me going, with Peter Hawkins - UNICEF Representative in Yemen 39:44

4M ago39:44

39:44

Every day, Peter Hawkins wakes up filled with determination to make a difference. As the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Representative in Yemen, he puts that boundless energy into helping young people survive one of the world's most intractable humanitarian crises. "Despite serving in some of the most challenging and difficult places, I've…

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Working for peace in the DR Congo, with Vivian van de Perre - Deputy head of peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) 42:44

4M ago42:44

42:44

Vivian van de Perre's calling is to help nations transition from conflict to peace. Now the deputy head of peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), she leads a life-saving operation in the rebel-held city of Goma. "It's tragic and it's unimaginable, but at the same time, people live their lives and they do the best they can, and …

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This Week in Global Dev: #110: A look at UN80, and how emerging donors are reshaping the aid landscape 35:27

4M ago35:27

35:27

This week, we take a look at the details of the latest United Nations reform, the UN80 Initiative, which is designed to make the organization more efficient. Unofficially, it’s also a move to convince the Trump administration not to cut U.N. funding even further. However, the initiative is unlikely to satisfy anyone. Meanwhile, China, the U.N.’s la…

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Mo Ogrodnik and Yasmeen Hassan 43:40

4M ago43:40

43:40

Mo Ogrodnik is an NYU Professor who served as the associate dean of the arts for NYU in Abu Dhabi. She is the author of GULF, a novel tracing the intertwined journeys of five women—from the Philippines, Ethiopia, and New York City—whose lives converge in the Arabian Gulf with both devastating and transformative consequences.Yasmeen Hassan is a prom…

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This Week in Global Dev: #109: Trump’s plan for UNGA, and the impact of aid cuts on refugees in Malawi 27:16

4M ago27:16

27:16

This week takes a look at an internal email seen by Devex, which outlines the U.S. Department of State’s priorities for the United Nations General Assembly. In addition to not mentioning the world “development,” the Trump administration is calling for a “fundamental rethink” of the international humanitarian system, and a decreased reliance on the …

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When war comes home, with Yacoub El Hillo - Regional Director for Africa at the UN Development Coordination Office 39:08

4M ago39:08

39:08

Yacoub El Hillo spent more than thirty years serving refugees and displaced people in some of the world's worst conflict zones. But when cataclysmic war erupted in his hometown of Khartoum, Sudan, the Regional Director for Africa at the United Nations Development Coordination Office (DCO) had to help his own family flee the violence. "I don't think…

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From Refugee Camp to Remote Work: Africa’s Future Is Already Here 51:15

5M ago51:15

51:15

Welcome to Voices of Resilience Season 3, brought to you by Na'amal, a non-profit and social enterprise dedicated to empowering forcibly displaced individuals through dignified remote work. In this episode, we delve into the exciting and sometimes challenging landscape of AI and Africa's digital future. Co-hosted by Clay Lowe and Camila Massa, this…

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Why I'll always champion Afghan women, with Georgette Gagnon - the UN Secretary-General's Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan 31:39

5M ago31:39

31:39

With her background in human rights law, Georgette Gagnon was once said to represent the conscience of war. Currently serving as the Secretary-General's Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan, she has been devastated by the sweeping loss of rights for women and girls there. "You used to see across the country hundreds of girls going to schoo…