Implications for International Development Cooperation
Original, , 01-28-2016
1. Change the Traditional Allocation of Powers and Responsibilities in International Development Cooperation
Post-2015 SDGs extends the coverage to "all humankind" that includes not only the population below the poverty line in developing countries, but also the people lack of equal opportunities in developed countries, which focuses on "balanced" development and highlights the huge change of development concept. Under this concept, even people in high-income countries are also the target population of sustainable development agenda, which will alter the original North-South cooperation model into a true global development. This means that in post-2015 international cooperation, developed countries will no longer appear as mere aid donor, but play the role of both providers and beneficiaries. Many developing countries complained that this change will significantly reduce the responsibilities of developed countries in international cooperation.[1]Another result is that the emerging economies may be forced to assume more international responsibility. Both developed countries and emerging economies may shirk responsibility and compete for interests, so that many poor developing countries cannot get timely and effective assistance, which has impacts on the process of global sustainable development.
2. The Role of Private Sector in International Development Cooperation will continue to Increase
According to the World Bank, trillions of dollars of development aid will be needed in the future, most of which may need to be provided by private capital, especially the private long-term investment in the field of infrastructure. The important role of private sector in development has been globally recognized and the SDGs have proposed to encourage and promote effective public-private partnerships. It is foreseeable that the private sector will play a bigger role in the sustainable development process in the future.
3. Change the Simple Way of Direct Assistance and Put more Emphasis on Economic Growth and Capacity-building
Both social development and environmental protection need economic development as their basis. The eight Millennium Development Goals were set mainly in the field of social development and environmental protection, neglecting the significance of economic development as the prerequisites for the improvement of living conditions. For a long time, developed countries have adopted the approach of "blood transfusion" to provide developing countries with a lot of aid, but the aid effect is not ideal at all. In contrast, the emerging donor countries adopt a hematopoietic approach emphasizing the importance of economic infrastructure development, economic growth and capacity-building, which not only leads to significant economic growth, but also helps recipient countries to achieve the goal of poverty reduction. Drawing from the experience of MDGs implementation, developing countries need direct financial assistance, but they have more needs for jobs and economic growth, in particular capacity building. For this reason, the objectives of economic development and capacity building are added in SDGs, such as SDG8 "Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all", SDG9 "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation", and so on. Therefore, the future international development cooperation will seek to enable developing countries to get more investment and economic growth opportunities, to improve production conditions and create more jobs, and to strengthen economic infrastructure. Through these efforts, public services can be improved, social conditions can be promoted and the environment can be protected.
4. Security Issues may become an Excuse for Developed Countries to interfere with the Sovereignty of other Countries
"Peace and security" is closely related to development and guarantees national sustainable development. Therefore, peace and stability must be ensured, and unrest and conflict need to be prevented. In the goal system proposed by the UN OWG, the target of reducing crime and violence is supported by 4 developed countries (Greece, Australia, Netherlands, United Kingdom), 2 emerging economies (China and Indonesia) and one other developing country (Kazakhstan); the target of reducing organized crime is supported by 8 developed countries, 2 emerging economies (China and Indonesia) and 9 other developing countries. SDGs first put the peace and security considerations into a unified agenda. However, "peace and security" is likely to be used by Western powers as a pretext for war or interference in the internal affairs of other countries, about which development countries must keep alert.
[1]Han Liqun, "Three Major Changes in International Development Cooperation", Xihua, July 20, 2015. (in Chinese) http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2015-07/20/c_128036907.htm
Original, , 01-28-2016
1. Change the Traditional Allocation of Powers and Responsibilities in International Development Cooperation
Post-2015 SDGs extends the coverage to "all humankind" that includes not only the population below the poverty line in developing countries, but also the people lack of equal opportunities in developed countries, which focuses on "balanced" development and highlights the huge change of development concept. Under this concept, even people in high-income countries are also the target population of sustainable development agenda, which will alter the original North-South cooperation model into a true global development. This means that in post-2015 international cooperation, developed countries will no longer appear as mere aid donor, but play the role of both providers and beneficiaries. Many developing countries complained that this change will significantly reduce the responsibilities of developed countries in international cooperation.[1]Another result is that the emerging economies may be forced to assume more international responsibility. Both developed countries and emerging economies may shirk responsibility and compete for interests, so that many poor developing countries cannot get timely and effective assistance, which has impacts on the process of global sustainable development.
2. The Role of Private Sector in International Development Cooperation will continue to Increase
According to the World Bank, trillions of dollars of development aid will be needed in the future, most of which may need to be provided by private capital, especially the private long-term investment in the field of infrastructure. The important role of private sector in development has been globally recognized and the SDGs have proposed to encourage and promote effective public-private partnerships. It is foreseeable that the private sector will play a bigger role in the sustainable development process in the future.
3. Change the Simple Way of Direct Assistance and Put more Emphasis on Economic Growth and Capacity-building
Both social development and environmental protection need economic development as their basis. The eight Millennium Development Goals were set mainly in the field of social development and environmental protection, neglecting the significance of economic development as the prerequisites for the improvement of living conditions. For a long time, developed countries have adopted the approach of "blood transfusion" to provide developing countries with a lot of aid, but the aid effect is not ideal at all. In contrast, the emerging donor countries adopt a hematopoietic approach emphasizing the importance of economic infrastructure development, economic growth and capacity-building, which not only leads to significant economic growth, but also helps recipient countries to achieve the goal of poverty reduction. Drawing from the experience of MDGs implementation, developing countries need direct financial assistance, but they have more needs for jobs and economic growth, in particular capacity building. For this reason, the objectives of economic development and capacity building are added in SDGs, such as SDG8 "Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all", SDG9 "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation", and so on. Therefore, the future international development cooperation will seek to enable developing countries to get more investment and economic growth opportunities, to improve production conditions and create more jobs, and to strengthen economic infrastructure. Through these efforts, public services can be improved, social conditions can be promoted and the environment can be protected.
4. Security Issues may become an Excuse for Developed Countries to interfere with the Sovereignty of other Countries
"Peace and security" is closely related to development and guarantees national sustainable development. Therefore, peace and stability must be ensured, and unrest and conflict need to be prevented. In the goal system proposed by the UN OWG, the target of reducing crime and violence is supported by 4 developed countries (Greece, Australia, Netherlands, United Kingdom), 2 emerging economies (China and Indonesia) and one other developing country (Kazakhstan); the target of reducing organized crime is supported by 8 developed countries, 2 emerging economies (China and Indonesia) and 9 other developing countries. SDGs first put the peace and security considerations into a unified agenda. However, "peace and security" is likely to be used by Western powers as a pretext for war or interference in the internal affairs of other countries, about which development countries must keep alert.
[1]Han Liqun, "Three Major Changes in International Development Cooperation", Xihua, July 20, 2015. (in Chinese) http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2015-07/20/c_128036907.htm
