Fragile Development 2015-2030: Understanding how insecurity and poor governance will affect sustainable development

On 19th June UNU-WIDER Non-Resident Research Fellow Roger Williamson, participated in a panel entitled “Fragile Development 2015-2030: Understanding how insecurity and poor governance will affect sustainable development”. The panel was organized by SIPRI Yearbook publishers Oxford University Press, at the 40th Annual Conference British International Studies Association in London. Also participating were Stockholm International Peace Research Institute colleagues Gary Milante, Director, and Senior Researchers Rachel Irwin and Sam Perlo-Freeman.

Chaired by incoming SIPRI Director Dan Smith, the panel presented brief snapshots of the developing world in 2015, and the likely challenges for development in the next 15 years, profiling work on development and security presented in the SIPRI Yearbook 2015.

Security and development inextricably linked

Dr Perlo-Freeman discussed the nexus between natural resource revenues, corruption, and military expenditure, while Rachel Irwin presented on violence against humanitarian workers and constraints on service delivery in fragile environments. Gary Milante explained how systems thinking can be used to break the fragile states paradigm and promote more productive engagement on development. He also outlined prospects for poverty eradication in fragile states by 2030.

Roger Williamson reversed the catch-phrase from the London Underground (mind the gap) and warned instead of the overlap between lists of fragile states, least developed countries and countries in sub-Saharan Africa. He reminded that almost all of the African countries featured on these lists (just over 40) are placed between 140 and 190 on the Human Development Index —and that these will be difficult countries in which to operate effectively with the prospect for serious difficulties in aid delivery. Therefore long-term commitment and the toleration of setbacks is important in order to make a difference in the countries which need aid most.

SIPRI Yearbook provides a comprehensive version of some of the insights provided at the panel discussion. The 46th edition of the book is a compendium of data and analysis in the areas of security and conflicts; military spending and armaments; and non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament.