What is Policy Coherence for Development?
The Development Cooperation Act (March 19, 2013) defines the consistency as a process to ensure that the objectives and results of Belgian development cooperation are not thwarted by other governmental policies which may produce an impact upon developing countries, and that other supported policies which may affect development goals.
According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, Policy Coherence for Development provides a foundation to harness synergies and benefits in public policies in order to promote the utmost development of the poorest countries. We live in an interdependent world where the effects of public policies do not recognise borders. The OECD believes this concept to be of crucial importance in today’s world. Policy coherence goes beyond lowering the negative impacts that public policy can have in developing countries. It involves mutual reinforcement of policies and taking account of developments in all government departments in order to not only achieve the objectives of development, but also to achieve national policy objectives. The decision makers of all countries must ensure that their public policies do not disrupt their development policies. This work must take place at all different levels: local, national, European and global ¹.