Latest Documents

Ninety per cent of all the world’s data were generated in the last two years alone. “Big data” and the “Internet of things” are more than buzzwords: the data revolution is transforming the way economies and societies are functioning across the planet. This is an opportunity that should not to be missed: more and better data can help boost inclusive growth, fight inequalities and combat climate change. These data are also essential to measure and monitor progress against the Sustainable Development  Goals.
 
The value of data in enabling development is uncontested. Yet, we still lack good quality data in most developing countries. Why are over half of deaths and one-third of births worldwide unaccounted for? Why is investment in statistical capacity - 0.25% of ODA - not a priority for most providers of development assistance?

There is a need for stronger political leadership, greater investment and more collective action to bridge the data divide. This report makes a strong business case for strengthening national statistical systems. With the unfolding data revolution, developing countries and donors have a unique chance to act now to boost data production and use for the benefit of citizens. This volume sets out a number of priority steps and good practices that will help policy makers and providers of development assistance to make data work for development.

The profiles of providers of development co-operation (Part II of this report) are already available. The full report will be released in October 2017.

This report shows how criminal economies and illicit financial flows through and within West Africa affect people’s lives. It goes beyond the traditional analysis of illicit financial flows, which focuses on the value of monetary flows. The report exposes the ways in which criminal and illicit activities and resulting illicit financial flows damage governance, the economy, development and security. It presents case studies based on concrete examples from West Africa of human trafficking, drug smuggling, counterfeit goods, gold mining and terrorism financing. It identifies networks and drivers – in the region or elsewhere – that allow these criminal economies to thrive, by feeding and facilitating these activities and the circulation of illicitly-obtained revenue. It also examines the impacts on local communities, such as changes in wealth distribution, power dynamics and the degree to which illicit money undermines social organisation.

This book proposes a policy framework for both source and destination countries of illicit flows that looks beyond the concerns of developed countries to enhance development prospects at the local level and respond to the needs of the most vulnerable stakeholders. Combating criminal economies and preventing illicit financial flows will require sustained partnerships between producing and consuming countries. West Africa cannot be expected to address these challenges alone.

As countries are increasingly concerned with the future of globalisation and industry and their role in global production networks, defining and implementing policies for economic transformation that deliver on the competitive, social, and environmental goals has become paramount. The complex and fast-changing global economic landscape calls for a better understanding of the ongoing technological and industrial re-organisation, to enable policy makers to better plan and act for the present and the future. The Production Transformation Policy Reviews (PTPRs) are the policy tool for assessment and guidance on strategies for economic transformation. Developed within the framework of the OECD Initiative for Policy Dialogue on Global Value Chains, Production Transformation and Development, the PTPRs provide a guiding framework to inform policy choices on competitiveness.

This document clarifies the rationale for the PTPRs as a policy assessment and guidance tool, presents the conceptual framework, clarifies the value proposition, and provides information about the review process.

This review assesses the performance of Slovenia, including looking at how Slovenia might increase the impact of its aid through a tighter thematic focus and geographic footprint, a stronger focus on results and better mainstreaming of gender and environment across its development co-operation.

This edition of Aid for Trade at a Glance focuses on trade connectivity, which is critical for economic growth, inclusiveness and sustainable development. Physical connectivity enables the movement of goods and services to local, regional and global markets. It is closely intertwined with digital connectivity which is vital in today’s trade environment. Yet, the Internet remains inaccessible for 3.9 billion people globally, many of whom live in the least developed countries.

This report builds on the analysis of trade costs and extends it into the digital domain, reflecting the changing nature of trade. It seeks to identify ways to support developing countries – and notably the least developed – in realising the gains from trade. It reviews action being taken by a broad range of stakeholders to promote connectivity for sustainable development, including by governments, their development partners and by the private sector. One message that emerges strongly is that participation in e-commerce requires much more than a simple internet connection.

Chapters were prepared by the World Bank, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the International Trade Centre (ITC), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Trade Organisation (WTO), The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and Business for eTrade Development.