Global Forum Urges Action on Development Cooperation
The Development Cooperation Forum, held biannually by the Economic and Social Council, concluded its latest session with a strong call for transformative action in international development. Over two days of discussions, leaders emphasized the need for equitable, impactful, and country-led cooperation, especially in light of the current global economic uncertainties. Bob Rae, President of the Economic and Social Council, highlighted a growing consensus on the necessity of rebuilding trust and ensuring that development efforts are reliable and tailored to the needs of individual nations.
Urgent Call for Transformation in Development Cooperation
During the Forum, participants underscored the critical importance of not retreating from development cooperation at a time when it is most needed. Bob Rae emphasized that the uncertain economic climate poses challenges for investment, yet the Forum’s discussions revealed a “remarkable consensus” on the need for change. He stated, “We cannot give up; we must not retreat,” urging stakeholders to shoulder their commitments to development cooperation. The Forum focused on enhancing cooperation modalities, stressing that shifts in donor priorities should not overshadow core objectives like poverty reduction and economic growth. Rae pointed out that countries must be empowered to take the lead in their development journeys, advocating for a reform of the global development cooperation architecture to better align with national priorities.
Building Momentum Ahead of Financing Conference
As the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development approaches, set to take place in Seville at the end of June, Rae called for leveraging the momentum generated during the Forum to advocate for deeper structural changes. He noted that countries like India and China have successfully transitioned from conflict and poverty to becoming engines of economic and social progress. Rae attributed this success to the commitment of these nations to prioritize sustainable development and innovation. He urged the international community to learn from these examples and apply their lessons with greater decisiveness. However, he also acknowledged that many institutional mechanisms remain outdated and bureaucratic, calling for a collective push for change from both donor and developing countries.
Strengthening Country-Led Coordination
The Forum featured a panel discussion on “Strengthening country-led coordination,” emphasizing the need for strategic planning and multi-stakeholder dialogue. Lok Bahadur Thapa, Vice President of the Economic and Social Council, chaired the session, which highlighted the experiences of various countries in enhancing coordination with international partners. Olaya Dotel Caraballo, Vice Minister of International Cooperation of the Dominican Republic, shared her country’s approach to fostering timely communication and collaboration with international stakeholders. She stressed the importance of creating formal mechanisms for strategic dialogue to ensure that international resources are directed toward priority areas. This approach has allowed the Dominican Republic to establish agreements that effectively meet its development needs.
Lessons from Vanuatu’s Earthquake Recovery
Noah Patrick Kouback, Director-General in Vanuatu’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shared insights from his country’s recovery efforts following a devastating earthquake in December 2024. He highlighted the challenges posed by insufficiently coordinated international support, which complicated the government’s ability to respond effectively. Kouback emphasized the necessity for better alignment of international assistance with national priorities, advocating for improved coordination mechanisms. He also pointed to the importance of regional cooperation, citing the Pacific Resilience Facility as a vital resource for accessing climate funding and emergency relief. His experiences underscored the need for coherent and well-coordinated international development efforts to ensure that support is both effective and aligned with the needs of affected nations.
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