This chapter identifies and examines fundamental changes observed in the development policy system over recent years along three dimensions -narratives (why?), strategies (what?) and operational approaches (how?). The changes are diverse, ranging from new narratives as translated to the development policy context (such as the migration narrative), to new strategic considerations (such as, of developing countries’graduation issues), new instruments (in the form of development finance at the interface with the private sector), and new concepts for project implementation (application of frontier technology). We discuss the implications and effects of these trends in terms of holistic changes to the wider development policy system itself. Do these changes go hand in hand and ultimately build on and re-inform each other? Or are we actually observing a disconnect between the narratives that frame the engagement of actors in development policy, their strategies for delivery and their operational approaches in partner countries? Based on a literature review and information gathered in a number of expert interviews and brainstorming sessions, this paper sheds light on these questions by exploring current trends and presenting ongoing disconnects between the why, what and how in the development policy system. Further, we argue that the importance of such disconnects is increasing. In particular, persisting or even amplifying disconnections in the development policy system become more problematic given the availability of a universal agenda and the need to scale up delivery to achieve the SDGs in a multiplex world in which the 2030 Agenda requires a wider system of global cooperation for sustainable development (GCSD).