The international development agenda has greatly evolved since the start of the century. The past 80 years have seen a global improvement in several development indicators: a reduction in extreme poverty, reduced child mortality and the eradication of several communicable diseases are just a few examples. Nonetheless, the twenty-first century has given rise to new challenges and priorities, particularly in the form of the climate crisis, inequality, and the rise of international terrorism. However, this new agenda is being determined by the very same countries at the top of the global economy. This can lead to a disconnect from the issues faced by those living in the global periphery, away from international markets and major decision-making centers. 

The agenda is shifting, though. The transition from the Millennium Development Goals to the Sustainable Development Goals especially highlights how the international community is beginning to recognize that there is a degree of variability in the challenges each country, and region, faces. Thus, it is becoming clear that in order to achieve the development and security goals sought after by the international community, it is time to decenter the narrative from Western-centric ideas of how development should occur. This advances an international agenda that accurately recognizes the cultural, political, and economic pluralism of our world.