Busan Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation

Busan Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation The Busan Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation is an international agreement adopted in 2011 at a high-level forum in Busan, South Korea, that sought to shape global arrangements among South Korea, United Nations, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, World Bank, and Asian Development Bank stakeholders. The Partnership built on prior accords such as the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and the Accra Agenda for Action, and it influenced subsequent commitments at forums including the High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness and the United Nations General Assembly. It brought together a diverse set of actors including United States, European Union, China, India, African Union, and numerous non-governmental organization networks to reframe cooperation modalities.

Background and Negotiation Process

Negotiations for the Partnership emerged from deliberations at the High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness series that included meetings in Rome, Paris, and Accra, where representatives from United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, and Canada engaged with delegations from Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia, Kenya, and Ghana. The preparatory process involved multilayered consultations among institutions such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's OECD Development Assistance Committee, the United Nations Development Programme, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank Group, together with civil society coalitions like Oxfam, ActionAid, and Global Call to Action Against Poverty. High-level sessions in Busan reflected inputs from regional entities including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Pacific Islands Forum, and the Arab League, while private sector voices from International Chamber of Commerce and multinational firms participated in thematic working groups.

Key Principles and Commitments

The Partnership articulated principles that drew from the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and the Accra Agenda for Action, emphasizing country ownership as promoted by Brazil and South Africa, mutual accountability championed by European Commission representatives, and results-orientation highlighted by United Nations Development Programme officials. Commitments included aligning support with national strategies endorsed by actors such as Kenya and Ethiopia, enhancing transparency as advocated by Transparency International and Open Government Partnership members, and promoting inclusive partnerships with stakeholders like Civil Society Forum on Aid Effectiveness and foundations exemplified by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Partnership also recognized the evolving landscape shaped by emerging donors including China, India, and Turkey, and the role of multinational corporations, philanthropic foundations, and diaspora networks in financing and delivering development outcomes.

Implementation and Institutional Arrangements

Implementation arrangements involved coordination with multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, World Bank, and Asian Development Bank, and reporting through mechanisms linked to the OECD Development Assistance Committee and regional development banks. Institutional responsibilities were distributed among actors including South Korea as host, the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation, and steering committees drawn from donor capitals like Washington, D.C. and Brussels, alongside representatives from capitals such as Beijing and New Delhi. Monitoring frameworks incorporated indicators used by OECD and UNDP, and relied on peer review processes similar to those of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Inspection Panel, with capacity-building provided by entities like the United Nations Institute for Training and Research and regional institutions including the Asian Development Bank Institute.

Participation and Stakeholder Roles

Participation spanned state actors from United States, China, European Union member states, and developing country coalitions from Africa, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific, together with multilateral agencies such as the International Labour Organization, World Health Organization, United Nations Children's Fund, and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Civil society participation included international networks like Amnesty International, CARE International, and Save the Children, while private sector engagement featured groups such as the World Economic Forum and the International Finance Corporation. Parliamentary and subnational voices came from bodies like the Inter-Parliamentary Union and city networks exemplified by United Cities and Local Governments, reflecting commitments to multi-level collaboration endorsed by leaders including presidents and prime ministers present at the Busan forum.

Impact, Follow-up Mechanisms, and Reviews

The Partnership influenced later frameworks including the establishment of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation and informed follow-up reviews at High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development sessions linked to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals. Periodic monitoring drew on inputs from the OECD Development Assistance Committee peer reviews, United Nations reporting, and civil society reviews produced by coalitions such as Reality of Aid and Publish What You Fund. Evaluations highlighted shifts in donor practices among countries like United Kingdom and Japan, changes in South–South cooperation involving Brazil and China, and evolving roles for non-state actors including foundations and private equity investors, while continuing debates involved transparency advocates and development scholars at institutions such as London School of Economics and Harvard Kennedy School.

Category:International development agreements