Multilateral trade rules have maintained stable and predictable trade flows. Developing countries increased their participation in world markets but marked asymmetries persist; not all countries are benefitting from trade. Successive trade rounds and numerous regional trade and bilateral investment agreements led to significant loss of policy space and fragmentation. Special and differential treatment has not provided necessary flexibility for implementation of development policies while the principle of less than full reciprocity is eroded. Stronger multilateralism, effective overseeing and enforcing role by WTO and greater focus by developing countries in negotiating flexible rules (…
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In this Policy Note, the CDP analyses how intergovernmental cooperation could be strengthened to better manage the increasing interdependence among countries, reduce large inequalities among and within countries and contribute to the implementation of the post-2015 sustainable development agenda, while preserving the necessary policy space for government action at the country level. The Committee proposes five main principles to guide the reforms: common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities; subsidiarity; inclusiveness, transparency and accountability; coherence, and responsible sovereignty. It illustrates how these principles could be applied in reforming global…
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The global economic crisis of 2008-2009 exposed systemic failings at the core of economic policymaking worldwide. The crisis came on top of several other crises, including skyrocketing and highly volatile world food and energy prices and climate change. This book argues that new policy approaches are needed to address such devastating global development challenges and to avoid the potentially catastrophic consequences to livelihoods worldwide that are likely to result from present approaches. The contributors to the book are independent development experts brought together to identify a development strategy capable of promoting a broad-based economic recovery and at the same time…
Alternative Development Strategies for the Post-2015 Era
International support to the sustainable development of SIDS has been on the international policy agenda for a long time, whereas challenges are intensifying. Stabilizing global economic and financial markets and international measures to reduce climate changes are indispensable to reduce vulnerabilities of SIDS, as is scaling-up of existing support measures at the national level in areas such as climate change adaptation. This paper also performs cluster and other statistical analyses of SIDS vulnerabilities to explore new approaches to SIDS support. The heterogeneity among SIDS is substantial even if only sub-groups of SIDS are considered. Therefore, a differentiated approach has merits,…
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The paper argues that science, technology and innovation (STI) play a critical role in expediting transition to a sustainable mode of development. Latecomer nations suffer from several disadvantages as they attempt to catch-up with the technological leaders, but they can enjoy latecomer advantages, if appropriate strategies are formulated and executed. One of the key concepts is leapfrogging, whereby the latecomers absorb what the technological leaders have to offer and leap to a new environment-friendly techno-economic paradigm. To facilitate such leap, the current intellectual-property-rights regimes need to evolve to one that fosters technology diffusion and greater use of intellectual…
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In the present Policy Note, the Committee for Development Policy proposes principles and policy alternatives for a post-2015 development agenda, in the light of consideration of lessons learnt from the Millennium Development Goals experience and the key development challenges that have emerged in recent years. It suggests a general contour of a transformative framework with a broader, more nuanced and context-specific development strategies which are required to make the vision expressed in the Millennium Declaration to be fully realized. The Note will contribute to efforts by the international community to find the effective solutions to move the international development agenda forward.
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Increasing international migratory flows in the last four decades is one of the most visible manifestations of the globalization process. In spite of its potential positive effect on global efficiency and well-being, little progress has been made in designing and promoting a normative and institutional framework to allow a better global governance of international migration. The current crisis has added new concerns in relation to migrant situation particularly in the countries more affected by the recession. It is likely that migratory pressures continue beyond the crisis, as international asymmetries that promote international migration have not been overcome.
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The present paper reviews the existing support by the United Nations system to the small island developing States (SIDS). While acknowledging great diversity among SIDS, the paper notes that these countries on average have maintained good levels of socio-economic indicators despite their fundamental development challenges. It also highlights a number of problems in adequately assessing United Nations support for SIDS and makes suggestions for their solution.
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New approaches for international cooperation such as global health partnerships have contributed to the strides developing countries have made in achieving health-related Millennium Development Goals. But health inequalities still persist between rich and poor countries and within countries among different socio-economic, ethnic, racial and cultural groups. Tackling health inequalities requires an integrated approach, that is to say, giving priority to primary health care and the strengthening of the institutional and technical capacities of the health system in developing countries. While vertical approaches have a role to play in some circumstances, these interventions need to take into…
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Adapting to climate change is critical for sustainable development. Steps must be taken to strengthen the adaptive capacity of all stakeholders and to mainstream adaptation into sectoral and national planning processes. Achieving the aims reflected in the international sustainable development agenda also requires mitigation efforts in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Whereas among industrialized countries the approach to mitigation has focused on a cap-and-trade system, for developing countries such a strategy may not be ideal. For those countries, an investment-based approach encouraging the use of renewable energy alternatives appears to be the…
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