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2. Repositioning but Where – Is the UNDS Fit for Middle-Income Countries?
- Author:
- Nils-Sjard Schulz
- Publication Date:
- 06-2018
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- German Development Institute (DIE)
- Abstract:
- After intense negotiations, the United Nations General Assembly has endorsed the reform of the United Nations Development System (UNDS). Most players in New York, including Secretary-General António Guterres and ambassadors to the United Nations, are optimistic that the UNDS will now take the multi-adjective route requested by the General Assembly (“more strategic, accountable, effective, transparent, collaborative, efficient, effective and result-oriented”).
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
3. Unfinished Business: An Appraisal of the Latest UNDS Reform Resolution
- Author:
- Max Otto Baumann and Silke Weinlich
- Publication Date:
- 06-2018
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- German Development Institute (DIE)
- Abstract:
- Can the United Nations Development System (UNDS) become a resourceful, well-organised partner for member states in implementing the 2030 Agenda? The UNDS is the biggest multilateral development actor, accounting for $18.4 billion, or 33 per cent, of multilateral aid in 2015. Its functions range from providing a forum for dialogue, decision-making and norm-setting, to research, advocacy, technical assistance and humanitarian aid. Numerous governments, including those of high-income countries, are counting on the UN’s assistance for advancing their development in a sustainable way. More than any other development organisation, the UNDS needs to adjust in order to fulfil these expectations. In May 2018, UN member states set the course for reforming the UNDS by agreeing on a draft resolution. The resolution contains five potentially transformative decisions that will bring the UNDS a step closer to being “fit for purpose”, the term under which the reform process was initiated more than three years ago. The global structures of the UNDS are to be strengthened, making the system more strategic and accountable; Resident Coordinators are to coordinate more effectively and objectively; their funding will be guaranteed by a new 1 per cent levy on tightly earmarked contributions; common business operations are to be advanced, with potential efficiency gains of $380 million per year; and the UN’s vast network of country offices is to be consolidated for more efficiency and effectiveness.
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
4. Data for Development: An Agenda for German Development Cooperation
- Author:
- Claudia Schwegmann and Sarah Holzapfel
- Publication Date:
- 06-2018
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- German Development Institute (DIE)
- Abstract:
- Data is a central but underestimated prerequisite for the realisation of the 2030 Agenda. Although technical innovations such as smartphones or the internet of things have led to a data explosion in recent years, there are still considerable gaps in the availability and use of data in developing countries and development cooperation (DC) in particular. So far it is not possible to report regularly on the majority of the 230 indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Topic:
- International Affairs and International Development
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
5. Access to Environmental Information: A Driver of Accountable Governance in Morocco and Tunisia?
- Author:
- Annabelle Houdret, Irene Pasqua, and Saâd Filali Meknassi
- Publication Date:
- 06-2018
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- German Development Institute (DIE)
- Abstract:
- In Tunisia, Morocco and other North African countries, en¬vironmental problems increasingly lead to political protest. Industrial pollution and a lack of clean drinking water adversely impact the living conditions and income op¬portunities of already marginalised groups and trigger unrest. Environmental governance in the region is often highly centralised, and takes no consideration of the needs of the citizens in the use of natural resources. In a political context that remains unstable following the 2011 uprisings, the double challenge of mounting environmental problems and related social unrest calls for new approaches. Reinforcing accountable environmental governance could help, not only by addressing environmental problems and needs, but by contributing to the overall transformation of societal relationships towards more democratic (i.e. transparent, accountable and participative) governance in the longer term.
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- North Africa
6. EU Engagement with Africa on Migration: A Change of Approach Required
- Author:
- Clare Castillejo
- Publication Date:
- 05-2018
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- German Development Institute (DIE)
- Abstract:
- Migration was an important issue at the November African Union (AU)-European Union (EU) summit. While the tone of discussion was somewhat improved on that of recent years, divisions between the two continents remain great. Europe and Africa still have fundamentally different positions in relation to migration, with the EU and many European member states prioritising prevention and return, while African governments focus more on remittances and legal migration opportunities. However, Europe’s current approach does not acknowledge these differing interests and instead seeks to impose its own agenda in ways that threaten to undermine important African ambitions. In recent years, the EU has launched initiatives aimed at curbing migration from Africa that have caused significant controversy, notably the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) and the Migration Partnership Framework (MPF). These initiatives suffer from a number of weaknesses. The EUTF is based on the flawed premise that development assistance can prevent migration. It diverts aid to migration goals, and its projects often do not comply with development principles such as transparency, ownership and alignment. Meanwhile, the MPF seeks to use positive and negative incentives across a range of external action areas to encourage partners to cooperate with the EU’s migration goals – primarily on prevention and return. So far, results have been limited and it has soured relations with some partner countries.
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Europe
7. Do Trade Deals Encourage Environmental Cooperation?
- Author:
- Jean-Frédéric Morin, Vera Chaudhuri, and Mathilde Gauquelin
- Publication Date:
- 06-2018
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- German Development Institute (DIE)
- Abstract:
- Trade agreements have mixed effects on the environment. On the one hand, trade generates additional pollution by raising production levels. Trade rules can also restrict the capacity of governments to adopt environmental regulations. On the other hand, trade agreements can favour the diffusion of green technologies, make production more efficient and foster environmental cooperation. Whether the overall effect is positive or negative partly depends on the content of the trade agreement itself. Recent studies have found that trade agreements with detailed environmental provisions, in contrast to agreements without such provisions, are associated with reduced levels of CO2 emission and suspended particulate matter (Baghdadi et al., 2013; Zhou, 2017). It remains unclear, however, which specific provisions have a positive environmental impact and how they are actually implemented.
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
8. From Damage Control to Sustainable Development: European Development Policy under the Next EU Budget
- Author:
- Svea Koch, Niels Keijzer, Christine Hackenesch, and Julian Bergmann
- Publication Date:
- 06-2018
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- German Development Institute (DIE)
- Abstract:
- The EU is one of the leading global players in international development, trade, peace and security. Therefore, a key part of the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is the one reserved for action beyond EU’s borders. This budget heading is called ‘Global Europe’ (also referred to as Heading IV). Under the current budget for the period of 2014 to 2020, including the inter-governmental European Development Fund (EDF), over 90 billion euros are available for the EU’s external action. The lion’s share of this is reserved for development cooperation. In previous years, the EU has dealt with new challenges in external action mostly by creating specific initiatives and new financial instruments. At the start of the negotiations on the next MFF, Heading IV thus appears to be rather complex and fragmented compared to other headings.
- Topic:
- International Affairs and International Development
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
9. A European Peace Facility Could Make a Pragmatic Contribution to Peacebuilding around the World
- Author:
- Mark Furness and Julian Bergmann
- Publication Date:
- 06-2018
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- German Development Institute (DIE)
- Abstract:
- The question of how the EU should finance peacebuilding in developing countries has challenged policy-makers and pundits for many years. At one level this is a technical and legal issue of budget lines and financing rules. It nevertheless touches on the much deeper political and even moral issues of whether the EU should use development aid to finance security provision, how best the EU can respond to the legitimate needs of partners in conflict-affected countries and what kind of civil and/or military engagements the EU can support as part of its external relations. The question has come to resemble the proverbial can being kicked along the road by successive European Commissioners, Council working groups and parliamentary committees. It has come to a head again because intra-EU negotiations for the next Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021-2027 are starting in earnest. This time, a sensible proposal is on the table which can potentially provide a pragmatic and workable solution, at least for a while.
- Topic:
- International Security and International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Europe
10. How to Identify National Dimensions of Poverty? The Constitutional Approach
- Author:
- Francesco Burchi
- Publication Date:
- 06-2018
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- German Development Institute (DIE)
- Abstract:
- With the signing of the 2030 Agenda, the international community has committed to ending poverty in all its forms. This first Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) recognises poverty as a multidimensional phenomenon that goes beyond the simple lack of a sufficient amount of income. However, the way the SDG 1 and, in particular, Target 1.2 – “reduce … poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions” – are formulated poses challenges for its operationalisation. Which specific dimensions of poverty should a country focus on? How can we identify them? Is it possible to agree on a universal set of dimensions with which to compare poverty across several countries?
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus