Policy coherence for development


The European Union is increasingly aware that better development cooperation will not suffice to enable the developing countries to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). There is also a need for an effective improvement in the coherence of developed countries' policies [1] . In recognition of that fact, the EU has made policy coherence for development (PCD) a central pillar in its concerted effort to realise the MDGs [2] ,aiming at building synergies between policies and development objectives,  increasing the effectiveness of development aid.

There is a strong general commitment to PCD within the EU, as indicated by the adoption of the

Communication on Policy Coherence for Development in April 2005, the ensuing Council

Conclusions in May 2005 and the European Consensus on Development in December 2005 [3] .

In particular, the May 2005 Council Conclusions confirm the EU is committed to the implementation of the objectives contained in the Commission’s Communication on PCD dealing with 12 priority areas: Trade, Environment, Climate Change, Security, Agriculture, Fisheries, Social Dimension of Globalisation, Employment and Decent Work, Migration, Research and Innovation, Information Society, Transport and Energy. Every two years the Commission will report on progress made by the EU in the 12 areas. The aim is to encourage continual progress, based on feedback from developing countries, civil society and the European Parliament.

Although continuous high-level political commitment is needed to ensure further progress,improvements were identified in a number of areas:

-       trade, especially the negotiation of the economic partnership agreements with ACP countries (fostering trade and regional integration);

-       agriculture- recent reforms of the common agricultural policy are sharply reducing the trade-distorting effects of EU farm support and producing positive social and environmental effects

-       migration [4] ,as regards establishing of the policy framework and launching the political dialogue at regional and country level, particularly with Africa.

In March 2009, the Czech Presidency has carried out both a screening of Council agendas for the first semester of 2009, in order to identify PCD - relevant issues and formulate priorities for action, and an updating of the PCD rolling work programme for 2009.

Under the Swedish Presidency, the Council discussed policy coherence for development and adopted conclusions on this issue. Although progress has been made in improving policy coherence for development (PCD) within the EU, further work is needed to set up a more focused, operational and results-oriented approach. This includes strengthening dialogue with partner countries in order to make progress at all levels and in all relevant sectors. The conclusions identify five priority issues where the EU will take account of development objectives in a more pro-active way as part of a more focused approach to PCD: trade and finance, climate change, food security, migration and the security and development nexus. It is understood that these priorities may evolve over the years.