Development Initiatives welcomes report of UN Secretary-General on the role of development cooperation in ending extreme poverty by 2030

This week saw the launch of the 2016 report of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on development cooperation, entitled ‘Trends and progress in international development cooperation’. It was submitted for consideration by the fifth Biennial High-level Meeting of the Development Cooperation Forum in New York, which takes place this July.

The report analyses current issues, challenges and opportunities on development cooperation, and provides actionable recommendations for governments and other stakeholders. Topics covered include financial trends within official development assistance and other forms of development cooperation – including South–South and triangular cooperation. It explores substantive issues such as the role of official development assistance within the 2030 Agenda, policy coherence, capacity building and technology transfer. The report includes independent analysis from Development Initiatives (DI), including three policy briefs (2, 13 and 16).

As well as containing policy options and recommendations, the 2016 report places a particular focus on how development cooperation can adapt and change to strengthen support to countries achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It also strongly emphasises the importance of data availability, accessibility and use.

Key focuses for sessions at the high-level UN meeting include: focusing on vulnerable countries and groups within society to build resilience; emphasising country ownership; becoming more results oriented; and improving risk management and accountability.

Martin Horwood, DI’s Director of Engagement & Impact, said: “The Secretary-General’s report is comprehensive and timely, highlighting such key issues as the importance of data for development; the need to ensure the poorest and most vulnerable people and countries are prioritised by the international community; and the urgency of understanding the significant role that all resources – not just aid – can play in financing development. DI is delighted to have contributed to the report, and to have supported the discussions of the UN Development Cooperation Forum over the past two years. We look forward to participating in the high-level meeting in New York this July and supporting the next cycle of the forum’s work.”

Homepage photo: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe