CHILE ´S INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION: AN OECD POINT OF VIEW
OECD REVIEWS CHILEAN PRACTICES IN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION From November 20 – 22, 2013 experts from the Development Co-operation Directorate (DCD) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) participated in meetings in Santiago to examine Chile´s experience as a high middle income country and bridge for south south and trilateral co-operation in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Currently, the Chilean International Cooperation Agency (AGCI), which is part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has 119 projects and cooperation activities under implementation in 32 countries of the region. These initiatives include both bilateral and trilateral projects with over a dozen international partners (Nov. 2013) The review committee included representatives from Switzerland and Germany as well as Colombia, as an observer country, highlighting Chile´s commitment to support Colombia in their bid to enter into the OECD. The event permitted an analysis of Chile´s international cooperation system, corroborating the country´s experience in these matters, and reinforcing south south and trilateral cooperation as a successful model which can be replicated for promoting cooperation for development. The OECD delegation also provided recommendations in order to strengthen Chilean cooperation and adopt best practices in this area. It is important to highlight that Chile is a member of the OECD and an Observer to the Development Assistance Committee (DAC). The special review team was composed of two members of the DAC, Sybille Suter of Switzerland and Dorothea Groth of Germany, two delegates of the OECD Secretariat Representatives, Michael Laird and George Carner, as well as an Observer from the Colombian Presidential Agency for International Co-operation (APC), Juanita Olarte The initiative allowed Chile to showcase its position as a South American country working to promote development and regional integration. For this reason the OECD review will enable the Agency to continue to evolve in its dual role, as a cooperation recipient and provider, and share the country´s public policies whether through bilateral or trilateral initiatives benefiting Latin America and the Caribbean.
Without abandoning our identity as a South-South country, we are proud of the achievements which have allowed us to provide co-operation for development and regional integration. The OECD review of our Agency is a milestone in our institutional history, as it recognizes Chile as a South-South co-operation partner and a platform for trilateral co-operation initiatives. The recommendations made will allow us to adopt best practices in co-operation in order to consolidate our strategies and place this topic within the OECD agenda Ambassador Jorge Daccarett, Executive Director of the Chilean International Cooperation Agency.
Chile has a total of 144 bilateral, trilateral and regional co-operation projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Social Protection and Development, Education and Culture, Health, and Productive Sectors (Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Mining) are areas which are highly requested for technical assistance. The co-operation that Chile provides is mainly focused in sharing experiences and offering expert technical assistance by civil servants. Under the OECD’s motto "better policies for better lives", the Special Review of Chilean Co-operation is a milestone, as it is the first report that analyzes a co-operation system which focuses on the principles, strategies and modalities of South-South co-operation. The meetings were attended by representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Economy, Health, Defence, Social Development, Environment, Energy, Internal Affairs and Public Security, Agriculture, Education, Justice, and the General Secretariat of the Presidency. The program included different workshops with AGCI personnel on strategic management, policy and legislative frameworks, Chilean co-operation stakeholders, and co-operation development through global partnerships. Successful Chilean co-operation projects with Academia, the Private Sector and Civil Society were also analyzed with diverse national actors that included America Solidaria, Techo, the Corporation for Assistance of Burned Children, and the Chilean Association of Exporters. The OECD delegation showed special interest in the work of the General Directorate for International Economic Relations (DIRECON) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and its role as the Network coordinator for Chilean OECD Focal Points,. The Network was created during Chile´s bid to join the OECD (2007-2009), and is integrated by civil servants from all ministries and public services that have a permanent dialogue with the Organization (, except for Ministries of Defence, Culture and Sports). The OECD is an inter-governmental organization that brings together 34 countries commited to market economies and democratic political institutions, which combined represent 80% of the world´s GDP. The organization provides a forum in which governments can compare and share experiences in public policy, identify best practices and promote sound decisions and recommendations. The OECD also focuses on supporting sustainable economic growth, increasing employment, improving the quality of life, maintaining financial stability, and promoting world trade growth and economic development in other countries. In turn, the purpose of the Development Assistance Committee is to support member states, observer countries and the international co-operation system in its efforts to reduce poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals. These activities are implemented by supporting theco-operation policies of member states through the analysis of their public policies and recommendations in different areas of development. Chile as an OECD member also participates as a DAC observer in various forums offering analysis knowledge sharing and policy coordination strategies which take into consideration the country´s dual role as both a recipient and provider of technical co-operation.
“IT IS HIGLY VALUABLE TO SHARE BEST PRACTICES AND LESSONS LEARNED” Michael Laird, Senior Policy Analyst, OECD Development Cooperation Directorate.
What’s the importance of this Special Review? What motivates the OECD’s interest in doing it? The main objective of the Special Review conducted by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) is to share, with the reviewed country, good practices and lessons learned. As DAC members, we wish to learn from the experiences of providers of development co-operation that are not members of the Committee. DAC Special Reviews are modelled on the DAC Peer Reviews, but take a more simplified approach, focusing on issues related to the management of development co-operation. In the case of Chile, the Special Review focused on the foundations of Chile’s development co-operation (law, policy, public and private support); the size and scope of Chile’s overall development co-operation; and the organization and management of Chile’s system of development co-operation. This Special Review aims to provide critical, helpful and respectful insights, considering Chile’s own objectives and ambitions for its development co-operation, drawing on DAC
members’ collective experience and good practices.
countries that share cultural, linguistic and geographic similarities.
In this sense, the Special Review of Chile’s development co-operation is a mutual learning experience. On the one hand, Chile can benefit from DAC members’ experience, and, on the other hand, the Committee will be able to learn from Chile´s perspectives and expertise on development cooperation, gaining a better understanding of the concerns and issues faced by Chile’s development co-operation system.
Triangular co-operation is a modality of development co-operation that involves different development partners (DAC members, international organizations and South-South co-operation providers). It is, consequently, a topic that lends itself to facilitating dialogue between the DAC and South-South co-operation partners in Latin America. The main benefit of triangular co-operation is that it builds on the comparative advantages and complementarities of different development partners to promote a sharing of knowledge and solutions for capacity development and
What is the value of South-South and triangular cooperation as a tool for regional social development?
“In this sense, the Special Review of Chile’s development co-operation is a mutual learning experience” South-South cooperation plays an important role in Latin America and the Caribbean Region, as an instrument for mutual learning among
poverty reduction. The OECD has been undertaking analytical work and promoting dialogue regarding triangular co-operation since 2009. Our
Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, the Caribbean Community, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), and the Organization of American States (OAS) . This work is available on the Internet at: http://www.oecd.org/dac/dac-gl obal-relations/triangular-cooper ation.htm
What other lessons from the Review can be highlighted?
recent work (2012–2013) has included Chile as well as several other countries and organizations from Latin America and the Caribbean: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala,
The Special Review is an important contribution to strengthening dialogue and collaboration between Chile and the DAC. This collaboration started in 2010, when Chile joined the OECD. Since then, Chile has become more and more involved in the work of the DAC, in which it participates as an Observer. Chile has played a key role in supporting the DAC to reach out to other Latin American countries and to middle-income countries more generally. Chile participates in DAC meetings, and its delegation in Paris is actively engaged with the DAC’s work and priorities. Among other activities, Chile observed the DAC Peer Review of Korea in 2012, participated in an OECD
policy dialogue on triangular co-operation in 2010, participated in the 2011 OECDWTO survey on monitoring of the Aid-for-Trade Initiative, contributed to a survey and a technical meeting on triangular co-operation in 2012, and participated in the Fourth Global Review of Aid for Trade (January 2013).
What do Switzerland, Germany and Colombia bring to this review? Switzerland and Germany, as members of the DAC, were Advisors in this Special Review, bringing their experience as countries that have been providing development co-operation for decades. Colombia, as an observer to this Special Review, brought a complementary perspective as another South-South co-operation partner from the region. Colombia's participation helped enrich the discussion, but also contributed to advancing the exchange of knowledge and experience between the DAC and Colombia.
“THIS REVIEW IS A HISTORIC MILESTONE FOR THOSE OF US WHO ENGAGE IN SOUTH - SOUTH AND TRIANGULAR CO-OPERATION” Juanita Olarte, Colombian Presidential Agency of International Cooperation (APC) Observer Country.
The Special Review is a milestone not only for Chile and the OECD, but also for all of us who engage in South-South and triangular co-operation because it is the first time that the OECD has conducted such an initiative in a country that offers co-operation using these modalities. This exercise is a reflection of the advances that have been achieved to date and the influence of these cooperation modalities in the international arena, where the contribution of South-South Co-operation to the global development goals is being recognized. Colombia welcomes the opportunity to be part of this Review; the Colombian Presidential Agency of International Cooperation (APC) and the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have focused their guidelines and management model to support South-South and triangular co-operation with high impact. Colombia and Chile are strong allies in this regard. The APC is very interested in sharing experiences, knowledge and lessons learned to strengthen our cooperation system, which was reformed by President Juan Manuel Santos Calderon in November 2011 to deal more effectively with the new dynamics of international co-operation and to meet one of our national goals: to broaden the coverage of our geographic and thematic agenda.
What are the strengths and similarities that you see regarding Chile´s role in regional co-operation? Co-operation ties between Colombia and Chile have been strengthened over time, and there is a growing interest in developing triangular and trilateral cooperation initiatives, using the traditional mechanism of Joint Committees. The relationship between both countries is based on different legal agreements such as, the Technical and
Scientific Co-operation Basic Agreement, signed in July 1991; the Memorandum of Understanding for SouthSouth and Trilateral Co-operation Initiatives, signed in August 2011, and most recently the Pacific Alliance. Responding to Colombia´s South-South Co-operation guidelines, the country has innovated its way of making cooperation since 2010. In this context, regional strategies become highly important for Colombia, since our country has different South- South Co-operation Strategies, with the Caribbean Basin, with the Regional Co-operation Programme with Mesoamerica, as well as with Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe. Like Chile, we are working to get closer to other regions of the world, apart from our traditional partners in Latin America. It is important to highlight that Colombia is just starting these processes, therefore we believe we can share our experiences and learn from those where Chile has more progress, particularly in Asia. It is important to mention that the Caribbean Strategy started in 2009, and the Regional Cooperation Program with Central America in 2010. Both are well established and internationally recognized strategies, and have become platforms for trilateral co-operation, a co-operation type we seek to strengthen day by day; in fact, in Central America we are seeing great progress in the social promotion area. Our countries have a lot to share and exchange, since we have a well-balanced relationship and look for strengthening both parties’ capacities. Colombia has a strong interest to consolidate and strengthen South-South partnerships, which benefit a third southern country, usually calling these partnerships, trilateral cooperation. We know that Chile has made significant progress in this area, besides has become a reference in trilateral co-operation.
What are the projections of this Review for Colombia, as an Observer country?
“Co-operation ties between Colombia and Chile have been strengthened over time, and there is a growing interest in developing bilateral and trilateral cooperation initiatives, using the traditional mechanism of Joint Committees. ” have been developed in areas, such as academic mobility, climate change and strengthening micro, small and medium-sized companies, which has contributed to the integration of the four member states of the Alliance. This position is shared by Colombia. Our Government will continue working in this same direction under the Pro tempore Presidency, which will be hold by Colombia as of January 2014.
Colombia sees Chile as an important partner in international co-operation, because of its presence in different regional organizations where we share positions, i.e. the Pacific Alliance, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB), among others. In particular, within the Pacific Alliance, during 2013 Chile played an important role, as it held the pro tempore presidency of the Technical Cooperation Group; under the Chilean leadership, different co-operation activities
This Review is certainly an enriching experience given that Colombia has started the process of entering the OECD, through which we seek that our institutions can reach international standards of excellence and effectiveness. This is one of our Governments’ major challenges and the Colombian Presidential Agency of International Cooperation (APC) will work to strengthen its co-operation in this regard. All who are participating in this Special Review believe that this experience will contribute with great learnings in this matter. Colombia has interest in continuing improving the way it manages its international co-operation and to further strengthen the South-South and Trilateral Co-operation. This can only be achieved through the implementation of continuously improve work processes, the coordination between different actors, and the recognition of each player’s role.
CHALLENGES FOR CHILE:
CONSOLIDATION AND COORDINATION
Sybille Suter, Swiss DAC Advisor
Dorothea Groth, German DAC Advisor
“We are in the process of evaluating and although it is early to make a definitive statement regarding the Chilean co-operation, it is very interesting to hear from the ministries, the civil society and AGCI, how it has been the experience of transforming from being a net receiver country to a South-South and trilateral co-operation provider as well, since this requires complex and original processes. I would like to congratulate Chile for all we have seen during this Review. The road is long and there is still a long way to go. Surely, most of the remaining challenges will be in how the Chilean State positions itself and how it coordinates within its structure and among AGCI, ministries, civil society and other co-operation stakeholders. Personally, I wanted to learn about the South-South co-operation, to see closely how it works and how it is properly implemented, in order to contribute with recommendations to its further strengthening.
“We are here to learn more about Chile’s work on South-South and trilateral co-operation. Although Trilateral cooperation involves a North-South aspect, where we have more knowledge, for us the trilateral cooperation model is still modern and innovative. Because the South-South co-operation is quite different from the traditional cooperation, which is the type of cooperation that we know and usually discuss within DAC, for us is very important getting to know Chile and its experience. In this Review, we value the opportunity we had to speak with different cooperation stakeholders such as, ministries, companies, and civil society and learn from their experiences. Their opinions will be of great help when making our recommendations, as they contain a more accurate and objective view. Speaking as a German representative, we have had a very good cooperation experience with Chile. We considering it our champion in efficiency, besides of being a strong and reliable partner and for this we continue developing trilateral co-operation projects together. We are also undertaking new co-operation experiences with Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Mexico, where Chile is also making a big contribution. ”
In the past, Switzerland and Chile have developed bilateral co-operation in topics related to environment, among other areas, and my perception is that Chile has been a very reliable and professional partner. ”
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