About

As the main player in the field of international aid, the EU has made 2015 the European year of development, in line with the United Nations’ adoption of sustainable development objectives. In the context of Luxembourg’s presidency of the EU, the European Court of Auditors will host this international conference on EU development aid policies in Luxembourg.

After the opening session, there will be panel discussions on  three topics:

Panel discussion 1 - Future prospects: EU development policy post-2015

The EU works with numerous public and private partners, including international organisations, foundations, NGOs and individual states. The development aid landscape has altered considerably with the arrival of new stakeholders (private sector, emerging economies) and changes in traditional intervention methods and partners. The Millennium Development Goals – which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015 – form a blueprint agreed by all of the world’s countries and all of the world’s leading development organisations. They have galvanised unprecedented efforts to meet the needs of the world’s poorest. World leaders have renewed their commitment to meeting the MDG' targets and agreed to hold a high-level summit in September 2015 to adopt a new set of goals, building on the achievements of the MDGs. In the context of The Millennium Development Goals being redefined, the conference aims to draw conclusions about the future of development aid post-2015 and the role to be played by the EU.

Panel discussion 2 - Development aid, participants and instruments: effectiveness and transparency of management

Development cooperation takes place within the framework of various policies that are subject to specific economic, social and humanitarian considerations - and implemented by various stakeholders. While the EU is the leading donor, it also works together with individual states, international organisations, NGOs and private foundations. The speakers will describe the various ways development aid is delivered with respect to European policies, and will analyse the practicalities and coordination issues between the various stakeholders.

Panel discussion 3 – Is aid effective and how is this assessed?

In this context, assessing the effectiveness of aid is a particularly sensitive matter, and one which has already given rise to numerous studies and discussions. The precision and relevance of award criteria and results indicators, the quality of monitoring and assessment, and improved financial stewardship in beneficiary countries are all key factors.