21/09/2025
The world is dealing with the highest number of violent conflicts since 1946, but global financial support for peace and prevention in countries facing extreme fragility — 18 of them according to an OECD assessment — is at its lowest in decades.
In places like Yemen, Sudan, Libya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), investing in peace is a cornerstone of long-term stability and development. Yet, resources are direly lacking.
The latest available data from members of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) show that official development assistance (ODA) to peace in countries facing extreme fragility dropped by 29% between 2019 and 2023, from USD 7.5 billion to USD 5.3 billion. This funding is expected to fall even further in 2024, as several DAC members have announced major cuts to their ODA.
Nevertheless, preventing conflict is a geopolitical and human security necessity. Investing in peace saves lives, prevents forced displacement and opens business opportunities, as the States of Fragility 2025 report reminds us.
As the United Nations General Assembly gets underway in New York to discuss collective action for peace, development and human rights, the OECD report shows that none of the 18 countries is on track to achieve even half of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In over 38% of countries and territories facing high and extreme fragility, progress on SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) has declined.
Peace is not just the absence of war. It is schools for children, jobs for youth, healthcare for families, inclusive governance for all. It is conflict prevention. It is resilience. It is the smartest investment the world can make.
🔗 Read the States of Fragility report and ODA projections.⤵️