OECD Review of European Community’s Development Co-operation

The European Commission, on behalf of the European Community, disbursed some USD 10 billion in official development assistance (ODA) in 2006, making it the sixth largest donor amongst the members of the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC). The European Commission also plays a “federating” role for the institutions of the 27 Member States of the European Union – together they account for more than one-half of all ODA.

The Development Assistance Committee commended both the role of the Commission in reshaping its development co-operation and the progress made since the 2002 Peer Review in delivering Community assistance. The DAC welcomed the 2007 policy that seeks a better division of labour among the Commission and the Member States and the 2005 European Consensus on Development which outlines a common policy framework for them. The DAC noted a number of challenges facing the European Community, including: ensuring that European Union policies take forward the development focus of the Consensus; implementing these policies effectively at the country level; and continuing to reform the institutions and to simplify the procedures.

The Development Assistance Committee, which groups major aid donors that are members of the OECD, issued its Main Findings and Recommendations on the European Community as part of a series of examinations of member aid policies and programmes. This Peer Review, led by the United States and Australia, took place on 26 June 2007.