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Financing for Development
Picture Credit: BBC Most of the world’s nations lack investment funds that could promote economic development – funds needed to build roads, schools, clinics and factories. As a result, their economies languish and their populations remain poor. In March 2002, the United Nations held an International Conference on Financing for Development to address this problem. The conference focused on six different sources for development funds - domestic resources (such as savings and taxation), foreign direct investment, international trade, international aid, debt relief, and finally systemic reforms. NGOs and others independent voices proposed alternative sources of financing, including especially global taxes and fees. They also asked fundamental questions: who should receive the financing, and for what kind of development? Furthermore, they asked, can poverty be erased if power and wealth are increasingly concentrated in the global economic system? This page contains information on the different ways to mobilize finances for development, and provides information on the international conference on financing for development, its preparation, and follow-up.
Also See GPF's Pages on:
Social and Economic Policy | Social and Economic Policy at the UN
Poverty and Development | The Millennium Summit and Its Follow-Up
General Analysis on Financing for Development
This page provides general articles and documents on development financing.Global Taxes
This page explores global taxes and their dual role as policy instruments and as revenue sources for international programs and institutions. The page gives special attention to currency transaction taxes (tobin tax) and energy taxes.International Aid
This page provides information on different aspects of international aid and development, including on the Central Emergency Response Fund and hunger emergency aid.Debt Relief
This section looks at the debt crisis and explores the need for international debt relief.International Trade and Development
This section covers international trade issues, including information on how trade affects development, regional trade agreements, UNCTAD and agricultural subsidies.Foreign Direct Investment
This page contains material on foreign direct investment, including information on multilateral investment agreements.Domestic Financial Resources for Development
This page includes articles on the challenges and opportunities of mobilizing domestic resources for development in poor countries.Alternative Financing for the UN
Dues from member states have supported the United Nations since its founding. But increasingly in recent years, states have failed to pay. At the same time, states have been contributing less to UN voluntary agencies and multilateral aid programs. This section posts documents and other information on alternative financing for the UN.Links and Resources
This page provides some links and resources related to Financing for Development.International Financing for Development Conferences
The Second Global Conference on Financing for Development (Doha 2008)
This page follows the progress of the Doha Conference on development financing (to be held November 29 - December 3, 2008 in Doha) including its preparation and follow-up.The First Financing for Development Summit (Monterrey 2002)
This section covers the International Conference on Financing for Development in Monterrey, Mexico in March 2002, including its preparation and follow-up.
