Multilateralism
Multilateral conferences have established the regulating framework for the financing of aid and have agreed on its objectives. In these meetings, Spain has made clear its promise to multilateralism, and in line with this promise, Spanish development cooperation proposes to channel part of the increase of its ODA through multilateral means.
However, it must be decided which channels are the most efficient amongst the different international financial bodies, the United Nations (UN) and its attached bodies, the European Commission (EC) and the Global Funds. Spain should think of the best way to combine its bilateral and multilateral promise in the area of development. What strategies should Spain use to increase its contributions to multilateral bodies as it increases its international role as a country dedicated to peace, democracy and the rule of law?
Backgrounder by FRIDE
A simple question – however, one that is never asked or answered – is: What are the comparative advantages of each type of financing? Which kind of Aid is better managed multilaterally and which kind is better with a bilateral focus?
Statement by José Manuel Albares, diplomat
To construct a coherent multilateral policy we need to know in which institutions or forums Spain wishes to base itself on, what we wish to obtain from them and what results we should expect.
Statement by Christian Freres, Researcher, Instituto Complutense de Estudios Internacionales (ICEI)
There is a lack of a true policy on this subject, something that would be articulated in a White Book, a strategic plan or document. Clearly such a text does not exist up until now. However, there is no evidence that such a document would resolve other general limitations of a political and institutional nature.
Statement by Fernando Casado Cañeque, General Coordinator for the United Nations of the Millennium Campaign in Spain
The multidimensionality of poverty and the way in which globalisation has affected international public goods increasingly evidence the inability of States to resolve these problems unilaterally, and oblige one to rethink the role that a new multilateral order can and should play.