OECD work on development is carried out primarily by the Development Co-operation Directorate/DAC, the Development Centre, the Sahel & West Africa Club/SWAC and the Centre for Co-operation with Non-Members/CCNM. These four entities work toward contributing to the development of both OECD members and non-members. The large number of themes (listed on the left) reflects the variety and ever increasing areas of work of these OECD bodies as they seek to respond to the global policy concerns of the development world.

What's new

Aid for Trade is building stronger economies

02-Jul-2009

All countries need to trade, with their neighbours and  globally, to sustain  long-term economic growth. Some low-income countries lack the instutitions, infrastructure and supply side capacity to benefit from open markets and lift their people out of poverty.

DACnews, June 2009: Good news despite the crisis

29-Jun-2009

The second Global Review of Aid for Trade demonstrates that despite the crisis, there is good news for developing countries: in 2007, total aid for trade reached USD 25.4 billion, USD 4.3 billion (21%) more than the 2005 baseline. Even so, World Bank estimates show that 53 million more people are expected to be living on less than USD 1.25 a day. And while a few countries have slightly reduced the targets they set in 2005 for 2010, the bulk of the commitments remain in force. DACnews describes the action being taken on many fronts.

The Crisis and ICT take the stage at 2009 Africa Forum

on 05-Jun-2009

On Friday 5 June 2009, most of the 600 participants in the IXth International Economic Forum on Africa entered the congress hall willing to challenge the high-level invited panelists. There were very critical questions stating that the majority of the benefits of the economic growth goes to foreign multinationals. The panelists reacted that economic indicators demonstrated gains in employment, economic growth and macroeconomic stability. Couldn't make it? Revisit the event online!

On 28-29 May 2009, the OECD hosted a High Level Meeting on Environment and Development

29-May-2009

Decision makers discussed key issues related to adaptation to climate change, water supply and sanitation, as well as capacity development for environmental management and low-carbon development paths. Two documents were endorsed in the course of the meeting: A Policy Statement and a Policy Guidance on Integrating Climate Change Adaptation into Development Co-operation. Last, but not least, the meeting laid out an ambitious, forward looking agenda for deepening the partnership between the environment and development communities (see also Co-Chairs' Summary).

Opening Remarks by Angel Gurría, OECD Secretary-General, on Innovative financing perspectives

29-May-2009

Most developing countries grew at impressive rates during the first five years of this Century, managing to pull millions of people out of poverty. But now their perspectives are bleak: by the end of the year, the number of poor people can increase by more than 100 million. In the last seven years, a range of new financing mechanisms have been launched. The time has come to take stock of this wealth of experiences and to look in more detail at their impact on the global aid architecture and on countries’ strategies, priorities and systems.

Major donors adopt plan to support poor countries in crisis during the High Level Meeting at OECD on 27-28 May 2009

28-May-2009

The global downturn is affecting developing countries - the least responsible for the crisis, and the least able to cope with its impact. Members of Development Assistance Committee, the world’s major donor countries, and other donors, have adopted an Action Plan to support poor countries trying to cope with the economic and financial crisis.

OECD’s review of Austria’s development co-operation

28-May-2009

Austria’s official development assistance (ODA) was 0.42% of its gross national income (GNI) in 2008, putting it in 11th place among OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) donors.

Working together for environmental sustainability: Joint High-Level Meeting of the Development Assistance Committe (DAC)-Environment Policy Committee (EPOC)

from 28-May-2009 to 29-May-2009

The Joint High-Level Meeting of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and the Environment Policy Committee (EPOC) provided an opportunity for governments to take stock and build upon the progress achieved since the DAC and EPOC met at ministerial level in April 2006. Decision makers discussed key issues related to adaptation to climate change, water supply and sanitation, as well as capacity development for environmental management and low-carbon development paths.

West Africa Observer

12-May-2009

This quarterly review analyses major political, economic and social trends in West Africa from a regional point of view. The first issue summarizes and puts into perspective important events and developments which took place in the first quarter of 2009.

African Economic Outlook 2009

11-May-2009

The 2009 edition of the African Economic Outlook (AEO) covers 47 African countries, up from 35 last year. The report finds the region gravely affected by the global economic downturn. Following half a decade of above 5 per cent economic growth, the continent can expect only 2.8 per cent in 2009, less than half of the 5.7 per cent expected before the crisis.

Tax haven crackdown will benefit developing countries, says OECD’s Gurría

24-Apr-2009

A crackdown on tax havens and cross-border tax evasion will help developing countries to raise more revenues to pay for much-needed schools, roads and hospitals, according to OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría. In an article published on the OECD’s website ahead of the 2009 spring meetings in Washington of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, Mr. Gurría said improving the effectiveness of developing countries’ tax systems is the “new frontier” in development policy.

OECD review of Ireland’s development co-operation

20-Apr-2009

Ireland’s net official development assistance (ODA) was USD 1.3 billion in 2008, a 90% increase over 2003 in real terms. Ireland’s aid grew from 0.39% of gross national income in 2003 to 0.58% in 2008 during a period of exceptional national economic growth.

Taking stock of the credit crunch: Implications for development finance and global governance

01-Apr-2009

In the wake of the G-20 summit in London, this new working paper  explores the prospects for development finance and global governance, especially from the perspective of low-income countries. These countries were not responsible for the crisis but are now suffering its consequences. To avoid turning the credit crisis into a credibility crisis, global governance and regulatory reform will need to fully take into account their voices and interests.

Creating More and Better Jobs in Brazil, China and India

on 08-Apr-2009

The OECD Development Centre has recently organised a joint seminar with the Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs (ELS) focusing on the evolution of the quantity and quality of employment and its impact on poverty and inequality, with a specific focus on Brazil, China and India.

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