[Viewpoint] Development’s next stage

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[Viewpoint] Development’s next stage

The Millennium Development Goals have guided global development since 2001. They expire in 2015, so the world is now reflecting on what comes next. For the new global development framework to work, it must reflect new global realities.

The rise of Asia, economic challenges in the West and the increasing importance of foundations and the private sector in development mean the partnership must be broader than ever before.

It must also reflect the aspirations of the poor and marginalized, who are demanding to be heard.

The process of building it is as important as the result, because if all actors don’t buy in, the new framework won’t work. Broad consultations are critical.

Millennium Development Goal Eight laid the foundations for global development partnerships. Many recognize that this needs to be broadened and strengthened.

At the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan last year, the Brics and other emerging countries, traditional donors, developing nations, the private sector, civil society and others came together in endorsing a new Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation.

The broad consensus reached at Busan lights the way for the world to work together in reframing development beyond 2015.

Consultations on a new development framework are underway. The UN is leading a comprehensive consultation process within countries, within regions and on global themes to help build consensus.

This is why 13 Asian nations are sharing views on what should come after the MDGs in Seoul. Their recommendations should feed into the post-2015 consultation process.

The “Rio+20” UN Conference on Sustainable Development will build on the principles of inclusive, sustainable development.

Korea can help broker the new global development partnerships we need. The memories of the country’s rapid rise from the 1950-53 Korean War to a developed donor nation are still fresh. So Korea has many relevant lessons and knowledge to share with developing countries.

The UNDP Seoul Policy Center helps capture and share these development lessons. It also engages in research and policy dialogue to help middle-income countries tackle their development challenges.

By building bridges, the center can serve as one of the many dots connecting the new, broad global development partnerships we need.

Broad partnerships are vital. For development to work in the future, all must be onboard. To get all onboard, all must have their say.

* The author is the director of the UNDP Seoul Policy Center.

by Anne-Isabelle Degryse-Blateau

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