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David McNair

@davidmcnair.bsky.social
874 followers 262 following 5.1K posts

Author | Campaigner | Using Data to Protect People and Planet | Executive Director @ONEcampaign | Council Member @ECFR | Board @AfricaEuropeFdn 🏊‍♂️🎸👨‍👩‍👧

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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
What do 167 UN General Assembly speeches say about the state of geopolitics? I analysed them all to uncover six faultlines. senseofthings.substack.com/p/what-do-16...
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
If, like me, you are trying to make sense of things then join me over on Substack. I’ll be writing about geopolitics, technology and economic development, how the business of influence is changing - among other things. senseofthings.substack.com/p/the-questi...
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Dave Jones @cleanpowerdave.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
NEW: The first evidence of a solar take-off in Africa☀️✈️ x33 rise in Algeria solar panel imports in the 12 mths to June 2025, compared to previous 12 mths. x8 in Zambia x7 in Botswana x6 in Sudan x3 in each of Liberia, DRC, Benin, Angola, Ethiopia 🧵
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ONE Campaign @onecampaign.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
"By shifting incentives to reward long-term thinking, collective action, and bold risk-taking, individual foundations and the sector as a whole can help build the resilient, just, and hopeful future the world urgently needs." Read more from @davidmcnair.bsky.social: tinyurl.com/ywst3bmj
tinyurl.com
Philanthropy Leaders Retreat: A Call for Bravery, Patience and Innovation
By David McNair, Executive Director for Global Policy, ONE Campaign In June, a dedicated two-day retreat brought together leaders from major global philanthropic foundations - outside the usual cycle ...
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 05/07/2025
A colleague shared this image #Canada As our societal resilience to risks breaks down, we elect leaders that entertain us, distract us from reality, and take us down the road of conflict That we can find limitless money for weaponry but deal with fundamental threats to our survival is baffling
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Publish What You Fund @publishwhatyoufund.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
🌍Can we trust current climate finance claims? 🎥At the launch of the 2025 DFI Transparency Index, @davidmcnair.bsky.social from @onecampaign.bsky.social breaks down why transparent, harmonised reporting is critical for accountability in climate finance. #ClimateFinance #DFITransparency #2025Index
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Tim Hirschel-Burns @timhirschelburns.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
With much of the Global North turning away from development, it's clear a new vision of global solidarity is needed. @davidmcnair.bsky.social laid out a template for what that could look like www.independent.co.uk/voices/aid-b...
independent.co.uk
Global aid is about more than money and charity – it helps us all
The world has done extraordinary things when we’ve had a vision to match our resources, writes David McNair
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 28/06/2025
I wrote a piece for @the-independent.com on the future of development policy. focus on 👉🏿 goals not budgets 👉🏿mutual interest not charity 👉🏿universal values not preaching www.independent.co.uk/voices/aid-b... #ffd4 #acm25
independent.co.uk
Global aid is about more than money and charity – it helps us all
The world has done extraordinary things when we’ve had a vision to match our resources, writes David McNair
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Richard Jones @richardaljones.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
Moore's law, past & future Technological change over last 50 years was dominated by Moore's law, & resulting exponential increase in computer power. That period is now drawing to a close, just as the demand for computer power is growing exponentially: my blogpost www.softmachines.org/wordpress/?p...
softmachines.org
Moore’s Law, past and future – Soft Machines
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Katri Bertram @katribertram.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
@davidmcnair.bsky.social, your LinkedIn post also resonated and I'd love your thoughts: Are we focusing on the right issues, or "trying to go back".
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
🚗More than 1 in 4 cars sold worldwide this year is set to be electric according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) Dominated by China 🇨🇳with European manufacturers in second place. 🇪🇺 The energy transition is happening with or without politics. ✅
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Early start as I head to #Geneva for the World Health Assembly. This is the annual gathering of Health Ministers and officials to discuss global health governance. There are lots of headwinds…. #WHA
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ONE Campaign @onecampaign.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Over the past two decades, we've helped unlock over $1 trillion in financing, trained 5,000+ youth activists, and helped save 50 million lives. Whether you signed a petition, met with your reps, or shared a post — you helped make it happen. Here’s to 20 years of action, and many more to come! 💥
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Sam Huckstep @samhuckstep.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Remittances have long been a lifeline to low-income countries, often exceeding aid and foreign direct investment combined. After aid cuts, their importance has increased- sometimes markedly. In a new @cgdev.org blog, @helen-dempster.bsky.social and I explore how their benefits can be maximised.
cgdev.org
After Aid Cuts, Here’s How to Make the Most Out of Remittances
Explore how remittances could help reduce the impacts of aid cuts and support broader economic development goals.
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
A genuine question for an article I'm working on: Is anyone in progressive movements / working on multilateral reform calling for *less* multilateralism? I mean focus on problems only international cooperation can solve and leave the rest to national and local? Recommendations v welcome!
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
As the #Conclave to select the next #Pope begins this article is a good overview of the front runners.⛪️ I’ve only met one of the candidates and don’t really feel qualified to comment But moral leadership is thin on the ground & this is a vote that matters.🗳️ www.nytimes.com/article/next...
nytimes.com
Who Will Be the Next Pope? Here Are Some Possible Contenders.
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
✅ Ireland should launch a ‘People & Planet Fund’ 🌍💶: Using part of the 14bn Apple windfall to create a global investment vehicle for: ♻️ Renewable energy 🌱 Climate resilience 🚀 A Win-Win Approach: Could boost Ireland’s global influence, create new markets, while building a fairer, greener world.
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
🎙️ I spoke with @africanews about Emerging Market Debt in 2025 . 🌍📉 📊 African countries will pay $88bn in debt service. 💰 Half to private creditors at expensive rates. 🌟 The G20 could help bring these costs down by reducing risk ratings. africanews.com/2025/01/09/w...
africanews.com
What is at stake for African sovereign debt in 2025? [Business Africa] | Africanews
Over 20 African countries will spend more on debt service than on healthcare or education in 2025. The picture gets even more complicated given interest rates are not expected to fall sharply. Over ha...
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
🌍✨ Next week, I’ll be in #Davos for the World Economic Forum. There's so much public data out there that can improve policy making. But the friction involved in accessing it is too high. We’ll be showcasing how we’re removing those barriers 📊🔍. If you want to catch up, let me know. 🌟
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Ann Pettifor @annpettifor.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
" I am telling you very clearly: we must prepare for war" www.ft.com/content/f268...
ft.com
Who will defend Europe?
Caught between an aggressive Russia and a disengaging America, the continent’s western democracies must now rearm — or pay the price
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Essi Lindstedt @essi-lindstedt.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
But overall it does feel like Ireland is one of the few European countries which can make a case for doing this kind of partnership independently rather than joining into something EU branded. Although then equally I would like to see Ireland getting EU action more effective and partnershippy.
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
🇮🇪 #Ireland Should Lead with a Bold New Vision for Global Aid 🌍 Thank you to The Irish Times for publishing an idea I’ve been thinking about for a while. 🧵👇
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 08/02/2025
This week I spent my energy on two things 1. Trying to figure out what I can do to defend the liberal order. 2. Trying to get permission from IT to create new google docs. I failed on the latter. #modernlife
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
📍 Today’s thinking spot: #DunLaoghaire Library, #Dublin Reflecting on the latest chapter in the US, Europe, and the G7’s retreat from the world… and what it means for global #development and international cooperation. Some early thoughts—keen to hear yours. 👇🧵
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
Could wildfires spark the next financial crisis? 🔥💸 The scenes in LA are devastating, with so many people losing their homes and livelihoods. 🏚️💔 Wildfires have already caused an estimated $250-$275 billion in damages and economic losses. 💵📉 #WEF25
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
🌍✨ Next week, I’ll be in #Davos for the World Economic Forum. There's so much public data out there that can improve policy making. But the friction involved in accessing it is too high. We’ll be showcasing how we’re removing those barriers 📊🔍. If you want to catch up, let me know. 🌟
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
🎙️ I spoke with @africanews about Emerging Market Debt in 2025 . 🌍📉 📊 African countries will pay $88bn in debt service. 💰 Half to private creditors at expensive rates. 🌟 The G20 could help bring these costs down by reducing risk ratings. africanews.com/2025/01/09/w...
africanews.com
What is at stake for African sovereign debt in 2025? [Business Africa] | Africanews
Over 20 African countries will spend more on debt service than on healthcare or education in 2025. The picture gets even more complicated given interest rates are not expected to fall sharply. Over ha...
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
In African Business, Vera Songwe and I write about the potential of the G20's Cost of Capital Commission. african.business/2024/12/poli...
african.business
South Africa’s G20 presidency: a chance to tackle the debt crisis
South Africa has the moral authority and political leverage to push for solutions, say David McNair and Vera Songwe.
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Haaretz.com @haaretzcom.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
"People need to know what this war really looks like": Israeli soldiers who served in Gaza describe indiscriminate killing and the routine classification of civilian casualties as terrorists in conversations with Haaretz
haaretz.com
IDF soldiers expose arbitrary killings and rampant lawlessness in Gaza's Netzarim corridor
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Alex Selby-Boothroyd @alexselbyb.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
If you read only one newsletter about the best coding language for data journalism, choose wisely
Two articles from The Economist argue the case for R or Python as the best coding language for data journalism. Personally, I'm Team Hadley
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
I love the FT… …but of all the 8.2bn of us on this planet you could choose from …
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John Burn-Murdoch @jburnmurdoch.ft.com · 18/12/2024
Same! And I think this aspect of things is criminally under-discussed in textbooks and other resources on how to make good charts.
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Best #geopolitics quote i've heard in a while: The Frank Sinatra approach to trade and investment - I'll do it my way - is expensive. Much cheaper to partner, share risk, and collaborate.
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 14/12/2024
This week South Africa announced a new G20 Cost of Capital Commission to bring down the high cost of Africa’s debt. Here’s a piece I just published with Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on what the Commission could achieve. carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
carnegieendowment.org
How South Africa Can Use Its G20 Presidency to Reduce the Cost of Developing Countries’ Debt
The debt limits these governments’ abilities to invest in their futures.
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
The public library in #DunLaoghaire #Dublin is an amazing public space. It's where I wrote a debt proposal that was adopted by the #G20 this week. And where I'm working on an idea for using Ireland's Apple Windfall to reframe how we do #development and #climate #foreignpolicy.
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
The public library in #DunLaoghaire #Dublin is an amazing public space. It's where I wrote a debt proposal that was adopted by the #G20 this week. And where I'm working on an idea for using Ireland's Apple Windfall to reframe how we do #development and #climate #foreignpolicy.
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
I'm delighted that the #SouthAfrican G20 Presidency has officially created a 'Cost of Capital Commission.' 🧵 This is rooted in an idea I had at the start of the summer on a trip to beautiful Joberg. 👉 Africa’s debt crisis is not one of too much debt.
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
I'm delighted that the #SouthAfrican G20 Presidency has officially created a 'Cost of Capital Commission.' 🧵 This is rooted in an idea I had at the start of the summer on a trip to beautiful Joberg. 👉 Africa’s debt crisis is not one of too much debt.
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Simon Evans @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org · 09/12/2024
World Bank: "Developing countries spent a record $1.4tn to service their foreign debt…in 2023…squeezing budgets of many…in critical areas such as health, education, & envt" Perspective on developing countries' unmet request at #COP29 for $1.3tn in annual climate finance…
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
I spoke with the @FT about The World Bank's #IDA replenishment. The World Bank will leverage $23.7bn to $100bn but in doing so could risk what makes IDA such an impactful tool: its concessionality. You can read more here. 👇 www.ft.com/content/69b2...
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
This article is worth your time. Is the EU equipped to survive in today’s geo-political jungle? Not without cohesion… on.ft.com/4gh2bdi
on.ft.com
Europeans need to learn some lessons about power — and fast
The world has changed, but the EU’s worldview hasn’t changed with it
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
Fascinating and worrying 👇🏾
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E3G - Third Generation Environmentalism @e3g.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
The World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) provides climate & development finance to the world’s poorest countries. But the recent 3-year replenishment of the fund has fallen short of what's needed. Read on for why this matters & what needs to happen next👇🧵
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Robin Wigglesworth @robinwigglesworth.ft.com · 03/12/2024
Damn. It’s kicking off in South Korea. on.ft.com/49ipUr0
on.ft.com
South Korean president declares martial law
[FREE TO READ] Opposition calls lawmakers to parliament
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Kate Mackenzie @katemac.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
What a world
Screenshot from FT story: 
“It is possible that the perceived uncertainties — such as . . . job insecurity, rising costs of living and housing prices, and multiple global crises, including the Covid-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions and climate change — could negatively affect individual reproductive decisions,” said Guangyu Zhang, population affairs officer at the UN.

“Youngsters have greater difficulty than before to establish themselves in the labour market, in the housing market, and perhaps also in the dating market,” said Willem Adema, senior economist at the OECD. “That is one part of the story which is fairly clear.”
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
An excellent piece of wisdom from Mark Malloch-Brown. As global norms erode, leadership is more vital than ever. 🌎⚖️ We must: 💪 Champion strong, empathetic leadership 🛡️ Build global ownership of legal systems 🤝 Bridge generational divides www.daghammarskjold.se/wp-content/u...
daghammarskjold.se
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
How can the ‘Very Best of Bob Dylan’ not include ‘My Back Pages’? open.spotify.com/album/2zqHGx...
open.spotify.com
The Very Best Of
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Roben Farzad 🦋 @robenfarzad.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
I'm old enough to remember when emerging-market investing was hot www.wsj.com/finance/inve... #EM @spencerjakab.bsky.social @wsj.com #emergingmarkets #investing
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David McNair @davidmcnair.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
I miss Jean-Claude Juncker.
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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
Gerontocracy watch
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