The Development Assistance Committee (DAC)

Formerly known as the Development Assistance Group, the DAC was created by Ministerial Resolution of 23 July 1960.

 

Objectives

The overarching objective of the Committee is to promote development co-operation and other relevant policies so as to contribute to implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including inclusive and sustainable economic development, the advancement of equalities within and among countries, poverty eradication, improvement of living standards in developing countries, and to a future in which no country will depend on aid.

 

Working methods

To achieve this overarching objective, the Committee shall:

a) monitor, assess, report, and promote the provision of resources that support sustainable development by collecting and analysing data and information on ODA and other official and private flows, in a transparent way;

b) review development co-operation policies and practices, particularly in relation to national and internationally agreed objectives and targets, set and uphold international standards, protect the integrity of ODA, and promote the application of the development co-operation effectiveness principles and mutual learning;

c) provide analysis, guidance and good practice to assist the members of the DAC and the broader development co-operation community to enhance innovation and promote the relevance, coherence, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability of results in development co-operation, particularly regarding pro-poor resilient and sustainable growth, the advancement of equalities within and among countries, and poverty eradication;

d) analyse and help shape the global development architecture with a view to maximise sustainable development results, to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and stimulate mobilisation of resources according to the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on financing for development;

e) analyse and shape development co-operation policies and standards to consider to the impact of new development co-operation providers, ensuring effectiveness in keeping with the objectives of ODA; and

f) promote the importance of concerted action on global public goods and policy coherence for sustainable development.

 

Co-ordination Arrangements

In order to efficiently implement its overarching objectives, the Committee shall:

a. Collaborate closely with the Committee on Statistics and Statistical Policy, which is responsible for the OECD's statistical policy, both within the Organisation and vis-à-vis the rest of the world.

b. Co-operate with other relevant bodies of the OECD on cross-cutting issues and in particular on policy coherence for sustainable development;

c. engage with non-DAC OECD Members in all meetings of the DAC and its subsidiary bodies in areas of mutual interest;

d. engage partners including other providers of development co-operation, international organisations, private sector organisations, foundations, and civil society representatives in line with principles of development co-operation effectiveness, so as to ensure transparency and the relevance and inclusiveness of the DAC’s work.

 

Special Delegated Power

The Committee shall continue to make recommendations to members of the Committee, as well as to the Council, within its competence on matters related to development.

 

The mandate of the Development Assistance Committee shall remain in force until 31 December 2027.

 

Source: On-Line Guide to OECD Intergovernmental Activity