Development Assistance Committee High Level Meeting: 15-16 April 2004

The High Level Meeting launched a new phase in donor approaches to the close linkage between development and security. Participants endorsed a policy statement and good practices on Security System Reform to help developing countries address their public security systems overall, including the functioning of police and justice systems, civilian control of the armed forces, and protection of human rights.

Participants also recognised that helping to reform security systems has to be part of a coherent agenda shared across all relevant parts of OECD governments. This includes notably the military and foreign policy makers, as well as development agencies.

Two key documents on this subject were approved during the meeting:
-- The Security and Development Nexus: Challenges for Aid
-- Security System Reform and Governance: Policy and Good Practice