Japan's Official Development Assistance White Paper 2007
Next PageMain Text > Part II ODA RECORD FOR FY2006 > Chapter 2 Details about Japan's Official Development Assistance > Section 4. International Trends Relating to Assistance
Section 4. International Trends Relating to Assistance
When providing assistance to developing countries, cooperation and collaboration in the international community is more necessary than ever before. In order to achieve development goals such as the MDGs with the strengths of each donor country and agency to address the high demand for assistance in the world, it is important to exchange ideas within the international community and share experiences and goals. In recent years, participation in discussions has been taken place not only among donor countries and agencies from developed countries but has also included recipient countries; and this participation has led to more practical and effective assistance that respects the views and policies of recipient countries.
This section describes the international dialogue on assistance currently taking place.
< Main agendas of Discussion at the Organisation for Economic Development and Cooperation, Development Assistance Committee (OECD-DAC) >
The main subjects addressed in the recent discussion within the Organisation for Economic Development and Cooperation, Development Assistance Committee (OECD-DAC) have been those concerning improving the aid effectiveness, the issue of the development assistance eligibility in security-related activities, and the building of cooperative relationships with donor countries other than DAC members.
See also Part I, Chapter 2, Section 1 for improving the aid effectiveness
Under the traditional approach, a clear distinction should have been maintained between military-related activities and development aid. However, as peacekeeping activities increase and diversify, many stakeholders now hold the opinion that the non-military activities forming a part of these peacekeeping activities should be recognized as assistance. In 2005, it was agreed at the DAC meeting to define child soldier prevention, the strengthening of civil society for peacekeeping, and countermeasures against the proliferation of small arms as eligible for development assistance. It was also agreed to apportion 6% of financial contributions to UN peacekeeping operations (PKO) as ODA,1 and this would be included in ODA2 statistics of DAC disbursement in 2005.
In addition, DAC is making efforts for partnership with non-DAC OECD countries (e.g. the Republic of Korea, Turkey), new EU member states (the three Baltic states, etc.) and new donor countries (e.g. China and India). In June 2005, "the options for differentiated engagement with non-DAC donors" was adopted to build relationships among countries and agencies outside of DAC. It has been decided to cooperate in the area of statistics in the short term, to share good examples of assistance in the medium term, and to consider measures aimed at permanent policy dialogues in the long term.
See Part I, Chapter 2, Section 1 for new donor countries
< Activities of the World Bank and Asian Development Bank >
● World Bank3
Reflecting development of globalization of recent years, at the World Bank-International Monetary Fund (IMF) Joint Development Committee in October 2007, World Bank President Robert Zoellick expressed "Inclusive and Sustainable Globalization" as a vision for long-term strategy, and presented six themes for realizing the vision: (1) achieving poverty reduction and spurring sustainable growth, particularly in Africa; (2) improving governance in disadvantaged countries; (3) assistance in response to the request of middle-income countries; (4) involvement in issues related to the global public goods such as climate change; (5) developing and creating opportunities in Arabic societies; and (6) accumulating knowledge through development activities and development of new methods of assistance.
The World Bank is undertaking study on the issue of climate change focusing on the creation of an optimal framework for clean energy investment under the three pillars of improvement of energy access including in Africa, transformation to a low-carbon economy, and adaptation, and it will present the result of the study at the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit in 2008. In September 2007, the World Bank decided to establish the Forest Carbon Partnership Fund (FCPF) and the Carbon Partnership Fund (CPF) as part of efforts to address climate change. Japan will contribute up to US$10 million to the FCPF. In addition, the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group, which supports the poorest developing countries, has been strengthening its support to Africa through efforts such as half of its loans to Africa. Furthermore, the World Bank is also a co-host of TICAD IV to be held in Japan in 2008.
● Asian Development Bank
The 40th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank was held in Kyoto in May 2007. Since the 13th General Meeting in 1997, this represented the fourth time that the meeting was held in Japan. The meeting was attended by then Minister of Finance Koji Omi from Japan, who spoke on such issues as promoting investment, responding to climate change, and promoting cooperation in science and technology, in order to sustain strong economic growth in the Asia Pacific Region. In addition, Japan's Enhanced Sustainable Development for Asia (ESDA) was announced as the framework for cooperation between Japan and the Asian Development Bank for promotion of investment and energy conservation. It included promote joint financing by the Asian Development Bank and Japan, and to establish a fund for providing support in this area.
< G8-related Activities >
● G8 Development Ministers Meeting
Development Ministers of the G8 and the European Commission (EC) gathered in Berlin at the end of March 2007 to hold discussions on the major issue of development chaired by Germany.
The meeting was attended by then Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya. Prior to this conference, he served as chair to the TICAD Ministerial Conference on the Energy and Environment for Sustainable Development held in Nairobi, Kenya, where he spoke on Japan's proactive measures for Africa, the environment and climate change.
At this conference, the G8 was able to back up positive action toward favorable economic growth, stable peace and democratization in Africa, with a view to making progress in the G8 Heiligendamm Summit to be hereinafter described. Moreover, in dialogue between emerging economies, African regional organizations and international organizations, it was pointed out that there was a need for emerging economies to increase transparency of the external assistance provided, to express concern toward governance, and to respect international rules such as the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness. African regional organizations stressed the importance of resolving conflict as a prerequisite for development and appealed that measures against climate change were related to peace and security.
See Box 2 for the Paris Declaration
● G8 Heiligendamm Summit
The 33rd Summit was held in Heiligendamm, Germany between June 6-8.
The main topics on the agenda of the Heiligendamm Summit were the global economy and Africa under the theme of Growth and Responsibility as presented by the chair country, Germany. Climate change was a major focus in the area of the global economy, and issues such as nuclear non-proliferation, including the nuclear programs of North Korea and Iran, were taken up in discussion concerning politics and security. In addition to the Chair's Summary, a statement of results was issued on the global economy, trade, Africa, nuclear non-proliferation, measures against terrorism and Sudan. To this summit, leaders from such emerging economies as Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa, as well as from African countries and related international organizations, were invited.
With regard to development issues, the G8 agreed that it was important to firmly carry out commitments made up to now and that it was necessary to indicate that the G8 was a reliable partner for African countries. The G8 also pointed out that it would support a mechanism for African countries to evaluate each other and to share experiences concerning governance in politics, economy, and activity by private-sector enterprises (APRM)4 and that dialogue would be pursued so that emerging economies such as China may play a constructive role. The G8 also agreed to promote contributions to Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and to strengthen efforts aimed at achieving universal access to measures against malaria, including the provision of mosquito netting, and measures against AIDS, continuing efforts for providing at least US$60 billion.
In dialogues with African countries,5 it was pointed out that there was a need to support the improvement of governance through partnership with the African Union (AU) and the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD). Then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe presented a plan to hold TICAD IV in May 2008, and explained the efforts to expand duty-free and quota-free market access and also the One Village One Product campaign for the products from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in order to promote trade and investment in Africa.
With regard to climate change, then Prime Minister Abe introduced Cool Earth 50, a proposal announced in advance of the Summit, and held discussions centered on this proposal. As a result, a declaration that "In setting a global goal for emissions reductions in the process we have agreed today involving all major emitters, we will consider seriously the decisions made by the European Union, Canada and Japan which include at least a halving of global emissions by 2050" was included in the Summit statement.
See Part I, Chapter 1, Section 3 for climate change
With respect to the WTO Doha Round, an early and successful conclusion was called for and an independent declaration was released stressing the importance of aid-for-trade.
It was also agreed at this summit to implement the Heiligendamm Process of high-level dialogues over the next two-year period between the G8 and five countries, namely Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa.6 The results of this dialogue are planned to be submitted as an interim report at the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit in 2008 and as a final report at the Summit in Italy in 2009.
< UN-related Efforts >
The UN addressing development is as major an objective as support of peace and security. In the UN General Assembly and the UN Economic and Social Council, discussions are held concerning development, and they both offer recommendations to member countries and specialized agencies involved in development issues.
The year 2008 is the midway point for achieving the MDGs and the UN has conducted a review of the progress toward achieving the MDGs and the activities of the UN systems relating to development.
● UN Economic and Social Council
The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has been strengthening its functions as a principal organ for implementing international development goals agreed upon by UN conferences and G8 summits. In ECOSOC's 2007 session, the Annual Ministerial Review was held during ECOSOC's substantive session in 2007, and each member of ECOSOC presented the plan and progress made to achieve the MDGs for the purpose of sharing experiences and information between members of ECOSOC and representatives of UN organizations. Discussions were also held concerning technology for increasing food production, in Africa, the need for good governance and the trend of official development assistance. The progress will be reviewed every year under themes associated with the MDGs.
● UN General Assembly
In the UN General Assembly, 2007 is the year for the UN Development System Project Activity Policy Review, which is conducted once every three years. In this review, evaluations of the effectiveness and efficiency of assistance to developing countries by UN development system are performed. In 2007, discussions are being held concerning empowerment, South-South cooperation, mainstreaming of gender and so on.
In order to ensure consistency in the activities of UN agencies, a High-Level Panel Concerning the Consistency of UN Systems in the Fields of Development, Humanitarian Aid, and the Environment was established by the UN Secretary-General consisting of 15 experts. Then House of Councillors member Keizo Takemi was posted as a member of this panel. In November 2006, this panel submitted a report to the UN Secretary-General containing specific recommendations on reform of UN systems in the fields of development, humanitarian aid, and the environment. The General Assembly held consultations concerning specific proposals for reform based on themes taken up in the report from June 2007, including gender issues, humanitarian aid, human rights, financing, and country-focused One United Nations. The final conclusion will continue to be discussed at the 62nd Session of the General Assembly with a view to strengthening and improving the efficiency of UN systems aimed at achieving international development goals.
● United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) places "sustainable human development" as its fundamental principle of development, and implements programmes mainly in four fields, namely, poverty reduction, democratic governance, energy and environment, and crisis prevention and recovery. Putting the MDGs as the top priority of development strategy, the UNDP monitors the advancement towards the MDGs and conducts campaign activities.
Japan regards the UNDP − because of its expertise and experience − as an important partner. As Japan strengthens its support for peacebuilding, the UNDP has supported many successful projects on post-conflict recovery and development in places including Kosovo, Palestine, Timor-Leste, Afghanistan and Iraq with financial support from Japan.7 In addition, it is expected that the UNDP will provide its expertise in the field of environment, including climate change, in TICAD IV8 and in the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit.
< Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) >
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a forum which aims to achieve the sustainable development of the Asia-Pacific region and all of the major countries and regions in which the Asia-Pacific region participates in.
At the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting held in Sydney, Australia in September 2007, the main topics discussed were climate change and energy security. Then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pointed to the need for APEC members to gather their wisdom and will and obtained the support of participating leaders. In response to these discussions, the Sydney APEC Leaders' Declaration on Climate Change, Energy Security and Clean Development was adopted by the leaders, and action guidelines were agreed upon, including the following numerical targets: (1) at least a 25% improvement compared with 2005 in energy intensity in the region by 2030; and (2) an increase in forest cover within the region to at least 20 million hectares by 2020.
A stand-alone statement was also issued concerning the WTO Doha Round, which indicate leaders' political will for ensuring that negotiations will enter the final phase in 2007.
In addition, the Report on Regional Economic Integration, which provides guidelines for proceeding to the regional economic integration, was approved. Members also agreed to forge closer ties of cooperation on issues relating to human security, including counter-terrorism measures, preparations for emergencies and natural disasters and measures against pandemic diseases.