In Busan 2011, representatives of governments, civil society and the private sector from both donor and recipient countries decided on a new, more extensive partnership to increase the effectiveness of development cooperation. This decision is based on the belief that only through more effective cooperation among all players involved will it be possible to achieve the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the most important framework for reducing poverty.
For many years, the emerging countries were only marginally involved in development cooperation. Since Busan, the importance of emerging economies, including Brazil, Mexico, Chile, South Korea and South Africa, in combating poverty and global risks is increasingly being acknowledged. Switzerland has contact with the new donor countries and involves them in its development cooperation activities.
Swiss policy on the implementation of the Busan principles aims to extend the results-oriented approach to the country level. Goals are also being harmonised between traditional and new donor countries. Switzerland supports partner countries in cooperation with various actors in the development of their cooperation strategies. One example is the agreement between Switzerland and Mexico on trilateral cooperation that was signed in Montreux in 2013. This agreement forms the basis for project agreements with third countries to whose social and economic development Mexico and Switzerland aim to contribute together.
At the high-level meeting in Mexico-City, Switzerland – together with Finland, Ireland and Mozambique – is organising a side event at which the challenges and opportunities of implementing the Busan principles at the country level will be discussed, taking Mozambique as a concrete example.
Surveys carried out in the run-up to the meeting show that despite the economic turbulence in the last few years, the changing political landscape and budgetary pressure, the commitment of the international community towards the Busan principles is still intact. In line with its strategy on implementing the Busan principles, in Mexico-City Switzerland will seek to ensure that the MDGs and the Busan Principles are achieved through greater consideration of the priorities of the partner countries. Achieving this will require a strong political commitment and the inclusion of all important local actors.
Since the Declaration of Paris in 2005, Switzerland has played an active role in the coordination of effective development cooperation. It has stepped up this coordination role especially in unstable partner countries and regions, such North and Central Africa. For Switzerland, the main objective in all regions remains combating poverty and state fragility.
Contact:
FDFA Information
+41 (0)31 322 31 53,
info@eda.admin.ch
Further information:
The SDC: Effectiveness
SECO: Aid effectiveness
Press release: Switzerland and Mexico sign agreement on trilateral development cooperation
SDC organises meeting on the effectiveness of development cooperation
Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation
Interview: SDC director-general Martin Dahinden
Address for enquiries:
Information FDFA
Bundeshaus West
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.: (+41) 031 322 31 53
Fax: (+41) 031 324 90 47
E-Mail: info@eda.admin.ch
Publisher:
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research
