Country Ownership and International Development Finance

Development strategies are best at boosting growth and reducing poverty when developing countries are in charge their design and implementation. So what does this principle of ownership, enshrined in a host of international declarations, mean for policy makers administrating development finance?

For a start, official donors have to rethink the way they deliver aid. They need to respect recipients’ priorities and systems, reduce the number of scattered projects and make aid more predictable. However, these aid effectiveness principles are only one part of the ownership challenge. True ownership requires poor countries to make the most of a growing range of financing options, including domestic resources, investment flows and private aid from NGOs, foundations and corporate givers.

OECD Development Centre Activities on Development Finance

Our work helps policy makers seek solutions with – and beyond – aid. Most recently, we have compared the value of grants and concessional loans, and evaluated the impact of China and India's rise for debt sustainability in poor countries. We have also provided advice on reducing the costs of capital to raise investment flows and on stimulating trade through aid.

The OECD Global Forum on Development promotes dialogue between OECD member countries, non-member economies and non-state actors. Our annual report on “Financing Development ” shares recommendations on how to make development finance more effective. And our hosting of the Informal Network of DAC Development Communicators helps donors find the story in aid effectiveness and results.

More