Everyone gains from international co-operation for development

The annual Development Co-operation Report brings new evidence, analysis and ideas on sustainable development to members of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and the international community more broadly. The objectives are to promote best practices and innovation in development co‑operation and to inform and shape policy reform and behaviour change to realize better lives and the sustainable development goals for all. Each year, the report analyses a policy issue that is timely, relevant or challenging for development co-operation policy and finance. It also includes annual “development co‑operation at a glance” data for over 80 providers of development co-operation including members of the OECD, the DAC, other countries and philanthropic foundations.

By Susanna Moorehead, Chair, Development Assistance Committee and Jorge Moreira da Silva, Director, Development Co-operation Directorate, OECD

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change are grounded in the understanding that tackling major systemic problems and the political, economic, social and environmental crises confronting the world requires co-operation. But the goals are proving hard to reach. Progress is uneven and new challenges are constantly emerging that often overshadow the positive outcomes already achieved.

This chapter illustrates the potential of a new narrative for development co‑operation which can inspire renewed public support for international development at a time when, arguably, support is needed more than ever. It reviews the state of progress towards sustainable development and concludes with a call for a change of course with new words and actions to bring the full capacities and resources of the development system to bear on the immense challenges of our time.

The Development Co-operation Profiles are published annually and are a pillar of the OECD’s Development Co-operation Report. For more than 50 years, the Development Co-operation Report has brought new evidence, analysis and ideas to the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and international community more broadly, shaping policy reform, behaviour change and promoting best practices in development co-operation. These profiles are available online at https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/development/development-co-operation-profiles_2dcf1367-en. The pdf version of this report also includes shorter profiles of each provider that present key trends through infographics.