In today's interdependent global economy, aid alone cannot end poverty and create growth. OECD countries are committed to a global partnership based on mutual accountability between the developed and developing worlds. That means improving policy coherence -- a donor's aid to boost a developing country's ability to engage in trade makes no sense if the donor then blocks imports from that country through trade barriers or trade-distorting subsidies.

In 2002, OECD Ministers adopted “The OECD Action for a shared Development Agenda”. In this framework, the OECD has set up a cross-cutting programme to:

- analyse the impacts of OECD policies on developing countries;
- motivate a larger number of OECD members to view policy coherence as an important horizontal issue; and
- encourage OECD members to modify policies where necessary to enhance the development and competitiveness of developing countries.

OECD policies in areas such as agriculture, trade, investment, and migration should take account of developing country needs and interests. At the same time, development co-operation needs to integrate the findings and best practices from OECD policies. This type of policy synergy will improve policy coherence for development.

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