Input sought for UK’s international development white paper
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office seeks evidence to inform the government’s approach to international development to 2030.
The consultation is being collated by survey by 16 September 2023. The DSA is encouraging all members to consider making a submission.
Background
In 2023, the UK government will publish a white paper on international development. This will set out their approach to international development to 2030 building on the four priorities and approach set out in the 2022 International Development Strategy and the objectives in the Integrated Review Refresh 2023. The Integrated Review Refresh sets out an aim to reinvigorate the UK’s development offer through seven development objectives, strengthening delivery of development, and a long-term, patient approach to partnerships. The Integrated Review Refresh 2023 also made clear the UK’s commitment to tackling climate change, environmental damage and biodiversity loss.
The white paper try to learn the difficult lessons of the last few years and reflect these in a set of principles and priorities for effective development cooperation and accelerated progress. It will seek to respond to the clear concerns about development cooperation that have been expressed by the Global South. It will unpack what is needed for a patient, long-term approach, respectful partnership, mutual accountability, and for greater local ownership and control in partner countries.
The survey questions will cover the following areas and answers should be in 500 words
Partnerships:
- How do partnerships need to change to restore the credibility of international development and the multilateral system and regain the trust of Global South?
- What role should the UK play in this and what specifically should we do differently?
- What should we do to ensure we are listening better to those most in need?
Big ideas and innovation:
- What are the specific innovative proposals that can accelerate progress in international development?
- What initiatives, policies, partnerships, or technologies could result in accelerated progress?
- Are there big ideas on which the UK is particularly well placed to play a role?
- What new ideas for development cooperation would make the biggest impact in, or for, low income countries?
- What are the best ideas to accelerate progress for middle income countries which still have large numbers of poor people?
ODA and ‘beyond aid’
- How can Official Development Assistance (ODA) be most effectively targeted and built upon?
- How can non-ODA financing be mobilised to ensure ambitious, innovative, and transformational international development?
- How should scientific and technological expertise, private finance and the private sector, trade and investment, civil society networks and diplomacy be engaged to support global development action and accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals?
Climate and development:
- How can progress on tackling ending poverty, economic growth, and the challenges of climate change be best brought together, in the context of Agenda 2030 (including building resilience, adaptation, and sustainable growth)?
- How can the opportunities be maximised? How can the limits and trade-offs be managed
Multilateral and bilateral action
- What are the top priorities for strengthening multilateral effectiveness in international development?
- What are the issues and challenges most suited to bilateral cooperation (considering all levers)?
How to submit:
To submit your evidence, respond to the questions using the FCDO’s online form by 11:59pm on 16 September 2023.
There is a limit of 500 words for responses to each question. We encourage you to identify evidence sources and provide hyperlinks to longer papers, and respond early.
NGOs who wish to engage with DSA members to obtain further evidence are encouraged to use the Member Directory to find a relevant expert or email us with your needs.
More information is on the FCDO website.