New Head of OXFAM says the SDGs were doomed to fail : DEVEX

Progress towards 2030 for the SDGs has so far been laxluster, to say the least. 

Oxfam International's new head, Amitabh Behar, argues that the primary obstacle isn't external crises like the pandemic or war, but rather the political system's prioritization of the super-rich over ordinary citizens. Behar contends that governments have become beholden to powerful interests and are failing to address the systemic issues that hinder progress on the SDGs.

Behar calls for a shift in civil society's approach, advocating for "systems change" rather than merely working with governments. He also acknowledges internal challenges within Oxfam, such as the need for greater representation from the Global South.

Behar argued that civil society must change from its “traditional role of a charity provider working with governments” to pushing for “systems change” — whether in “the corridors of power of the U.N. and the World Bank.”

Despite these challenges, Oxfam has managed to avoid the financial crises that have plagued other international NGOs. Behar also criticizes governments for continuing to sell weapons to Israel, which he argues violates international law.

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