Japan combines diplomatic, peace and development efforts to achieve sustainable development and implements the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a whole-of-society approach. It values self-reliant development, country ownership and the mutual benefits of development co-operation for Japan and its partner countries.

The OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) conducts reviews of the individual development co‐operation efforts of DAC members once every five to six years. DAC peer reviews critically examine the overall performance of a given member, not just that of its development co‐operation agency, covering its policy, programmes and systems. They take an integrated, system‐wide perspective on the development co‐operation activities of the member under review and its approach to fragility, crisis and humanitarian assistance. The United Kingdom uses its global standing and convening power to promote an evidence-based approach to stability, inclusion and prosperity and continues to provide 0.7% of its national income as Official Development Assistance (ODA). The depth and breadth of its expertise, combined with flexible funding instruments and strong country presence, allow the United Kingdom to focus these ODA resources on developing country needs, while protecting its own longer-term national interests. Articulating a clear and comprehensive whole-of-government vision for its support to international development would allow the United Kingdom to reinforce its policy priorities and engage the public. Further measures to build effective partnerships and institutional capacity in developing countries would allow the United Kingdom to build ownership of development processes and contribute to lasting change.

The OECD's Development Assistance Committee (DAC) conducts reviews of the individual development co-operation efforts of DAC members once every five to six years. DAC peer reviews critically examine the overall performance of a given member, not just that of its development co-operation agency, covering its policy, programmes and systems. They take an integrated, system-wide perspective on the development co-operation activities of the member under review and its approach to fragility, crisis and humanitarian assistance. The United Kingdom uses its global standing and convening power to promote an evidence-based approach to stability, inclusion and prosperity and continues to provide 0.7% of its national income as Official Development Assistance (ODA). The depth and breadth of its expertise, combined with flexible funding instruments and strong country presence, allow the United Kingdom to focus these ODA resources on developing country needs, while protecting its own longer-term national interests. Articulating a clear and comprehensive whole-of-government vision for its support to international development would allow the United Kingdom to reinforce its policy priorities and engage the public. Further measures to build effective partnerships and institutional capacity in developing countries would allow the United Kingdom to build ownership of development processes and contribute to lasting change.

This review looks at the opportunities for Austria to achieve a more co-ordinated and coherent whole-of-government approach. It also emphasises the need for Austria to develop a plan to increase its aid budget in line with its commitment to allocate 0.7% of its gross national income to ODA.

This peer review provides recommendations for New Zealand to make the most of the closer integration of foreign and development policy in the Pacific, reinforce human resources, enable efficient and effective decision making, strengthen transparency, build public understanding of development, foster the linkages between climate-related investments and other priorities, and establish a plan for increasing ODA to deliver on New Zealand’s strategic goals.

Ireland is a strong voice for sustainable development. Quality partnerships with civil society, staunch support for multilateralism and good humanitarian donorship are hallmarks of its development co-operation.

As more providers commit to support locally led development – whereby local actors have agency in framing, design, delivery, learning and accountability – this peer learning synthesis report provides a comprehensive overview of their efforts and strives to develop a common understanding and definition of locally led development co-operation. Building on existing practices, the report analyses to what extent providers’ systems can enhance or hinder the agency of local actors, looking in particular at policies, financing mechanisms, partnerships, and management processes. Rather than prescribing a singular pathway, it emphasises the importance of context-specific, sequenced, and locally defined approaches. Pathways Towards Effective Locally Led Development Co-operation: Learning by Example is a useful read for policymakers, practitioners and anyone committed to more equitable and effective development co-operation.

Belgium is a powerful voice for the cause of the least developed countries and fragile contexts, and a strong humanitarian partner. Committed to the principles of partnership, it empowers multilateral, civil society and private sector organisations to achieve their mandates. As Belgium emerges from a period of institutional reforms, this peer review provides recommendations to strengthen the management of its development co-operation policy.

This peer review of United Kingdom reviews its development policies and programmes. It assesses not just the performance of its development co-operation agency, but also policy and implementation.