UN Development Cooperation Forum – development cooperation in the times of crisis

On July 5-6 2012 the UN Development Cooperation Forum will gather for the third time at their bi-annual session in New York. The forum, taking place just two weeks after the ‘Rio+20’ Summit, will discuss how to advance sustainable development through development cooperation, on the top of its usual focus on the current trends in quantity, quality and allocation of aid and development cooperation. Another important topic will be the post-2015 global development framework. TUDCN coordinates the trade union delegation to the event.

DCF is one of the functions of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It was first held in 2008 to review trends and progress in international development cooperation and promote greater coherence among the development activities of different development stakeholders. DCF brings together representatives of Member States, policy makers, civil society organizations, parliamentarians, local authorities and private foundations from all around the world.

This year’s meeting will focus on the challenges that the multiple crisis present for development cooperation. It will also raise, among others, the issues of development cooperation at service of sustainable development; aid quality, quantity and allocation; best practice of mutual accountability; South-South Cooperation; and private foundations’ role in development.

More about the DCF’s perspective on the current trends in development cooperation will be shared in the Secretary General’s report to the Forum, expected to be published soon.

TUDCN will coordinate the trade union delegation to the event, organising side events in cooperation with the BetterAid platform. Trade unions will keep on stressing the importance of Decent Work Agenda and social protection floor in development cooperation as well as advocate for the Policy Coherence and Human Rights-Based Approach.

A more detailed ITUC statement to UNDCF will soon be published on the website of TUDCN.

More information:

- UNDCF website
- TU reaction to the Busan Partnership
- ITUC Rio+20 campaign