This book examines the history and future of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), established in 1961 as a key player in international aid. It discusses the DAC's impact on development finance, its role in shaping human development goals, and its response to contemporary challenges like climate change and global health crises.
The Development Assistance Committee of the OECD established a Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC) in 2011, which gained significance when China, India, and Brazil joined as South-South Cooperation providers. Their participation was seen as a step towards integrating these emerging powers into the post-war liberal order. However, within a few years, all three countries exited the GPEDC. This paper examines their initial involvement, reasons for departure, and potential pathways for re-engagement. The first section outlines the historical tensions between the effectiveness agenda and SSC providers. The second section delves into the reasons behind the emerging powers' exit, identifying "identity" and associated donor responsibilities as primary factors. It employs a burden-sharing model to analyze the breakdown of cooperation, highlighting a lack of trust and communication among donors and emerging powers, as well as the recipient countries' failure to facilitate a cohesive partnership. The final section presents recommendations for revitalizing the GPEDC, emphasizing a commitment-based agenda rather than mere dialogue. It acknowledges the changed context since the emerging powers' departure and suggests re-engaging them through "self-differentiated" commitments, akin to the burden-sharing formula in the Paris climate agreement. Strengthening the GPEDC is essential for achieving the ambitious Su
The arrival of Southern providers has brought more resources to the aid agenda but the lack of clear answers on their roles and responsibilities has also had adverse consequences. The text analyses the yet unfinished efforts to create a Southern narrative in an increasingly multipolar world.