In this Notebook we propose a summary and our reflection on the final document of the PEER Review of the OECD DAC on cooperation on sustainable development of Italy made in 2019.

The full Document in the Italian language version can be found at the following site: https://www.aics.gov.it/news/2020/58525/

The objectives of the DAC’s Peer Review are to improve the quality and effectiveness of sustainable development cooperation policies and systems, as well as to promote viable development partnerships to ensure a greater impact on poverty reduction and sustainable development in developing countries.

Italy actively supports global sustainable development, particularly where it links international engagement with the country’s experience, for example in cultural heritage and agriculture. It could do more in other fields. Although mechanisms have been introduced for this purpose, Italy does not identify, analyze and systematically monitor the cross-border and long-term impacts of national policies, including on possible negative effects on developing countries. Italian public development aid (APS) increased sharply from 2012 to 2017, even when the costs incurred for refugees in Italy were excluded.

However, this positive trend is likely not to continue at this pace as the ODA has declined in 2018 and according to current projections, this downward trend is expected to show up in 2019. Italy is not meeting its commitments, either for the allocation of 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) to the total APS, nor for the target of an APS of 0.15% of the GNI allocated in the least developed countries (Developed Least Countries).

More needs to be done to encourage and increase innovation efforts. The human resources available to the AICS and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) are still inadequate.