Sustainable Development and Resilience Initiative
Leading research and independent analysis on the economic security, business, political, and U.S. foreign policy implications of a changing landscape for global development support and extreme weather.

The world needs public and private investments that advance economic development, democratic governance, and resilience in the face of climate change impacts in ways that are prudent, market-building, and highly effective. The Sustainable Development and Resilience Initiative is a research and education effort focused on applying an economic security and risk management lens to issues of climate change adaptation and resilience across the Global South. This initiative aims to better inform future approaches and pressing political dialogues at the heart of United States decision-making on global engagement. Keys to success include responsible U.S. engagement, bipartisan political support, innovative business-minded investments, and a wider ecosystem of partners across sectors willing to develop and test various ideas for advancing and improving policies and programs.
Contact Information
- Madeleine McLean
- Program Manager and Research Associate, Project on Prosperity and Development
- MMclean@csis.org
Media Queries
- H. Andrew Schwartz
- Chief Communications Officer
- 202.775.3242
- aschwartz@csis.org
- Samuel Cestari
- Media Relations Coordinator, External Relations
- 202.775.7317
- scestari@csis.org
Featured Content

Photo: Helene Valenzuela/Getty Images
To Bolster Resilience and Partnerships in the Global South, Launch a Development Insurance Facility
Commentary by Noam Unger — December 18, 2024

Bridging Climate Risk and Infrastructure Investment: A Systems Approach
Critical Questions by Noam Unger and Madeleine McLean — December 3, 2024

“A Climate Change Adaptation Pivot Like PEPFAR?”: Audio Brief with Noam Unger
Podcast Episode by Noam Unger — December 12, 2023

The Contest for Leadership to Address Climate Change Impacts
Commentary by Noam Unger — February 7, 2024
Featured Events

Investing in Global Climate Change Adaptation: The Emerging Resilience Economy

Photo: CSIS
Resilience at Scale: A New Paradigm for Infrastructure Investments

Photo: CSIS
The Red Zone: The Crossfire Between Conflict and Climate Change

“HELPING THE WORLD PREPARE: A Primer on U.S. International Adaptation and Resilience” Launch Event
All Sustainable Development and Resilience Initiative Content
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Enlightened Self-Interest and U.S. Foreign Assistance: Throwing Away our Toolbox does not Make us Safer
Congressional Testimony by Noam Unger — February 26, 2025
What's Happening to USAID?
Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Noam Unger — February 6, 2025

Trump’s USAID Purge and Foreign Aid Turmoil Spark Global Security Concerns
Podcast Episode by Noam Unger — February 4, 2025

Trump’s USAID Purge and Foreign Aid Turmoil Spark Global Security Concerns
Commentary by Noam Unger — February 3, 2025
To Bolster Resilience and Partnerships in the Global South, Launch a Development Insurance Facility
Commentary by Noam Unger — December 18, 2024
Global Development Recommendations for the Next Administration
Digital Report by The CSIS Global Development Department — December 18, 2024
To Bolster Resilience and Partnerships in the Global South, Launch a Development Insurance Facility
Podcast Episode by Noam Unger — December 18, 2024

Bridging Climate Risk and Infrastructure Investment: A Systems Approach
Critical Questions by Noam Unger and Madeleine McLean — December 3, 2024
Investing in Global Climate Change Adaptation: The Emerging Resilience Economy
Event — October 24, 2024
Investing in Global Climate Change Adaptation: The Emerging Resilience Economy
Transcript — October 24, 2024