The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has called on France to "maintain its forefront role" in the provision of official development assistance (ODA) as promised by the government.
In a report, the Paris-based OECD said that it was "imperative" that France moves to "factor in increased official development assistance in its next multi-annual budget" which is expected to be published soon.
Recalling that France had recently aligned itself with the commitments of the European Union by announcing plans to devote 0.51 percent of its gross national income to the ODA by 2010 and 0.7percent by 2015, the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) said that it was "imperative that France finds ways to scale up its official development assistance levels."
"For this, the government must ensure that it submits projected budgetary allocation for approval in parliament before the end of this year," said the OECD, referring to France's first multi-annual finance law expected to cover the period in 2009-2011.
Further, the DAC called on France as well as other developed nations "to consider the manner in which it reports on its official development assistance figures."
"The system being used by France currently is fragmented between different ministries and agencies. Moreover, its procedures are complex and this diminishes its impact," according to the OECD.
The organization, which brings together at least 30 of the world's largest economies, called on France "to continue with its efforts, underway since 2004, to enhance the impact of its aid and efficiency of its system."
"In particular, France will achieve much by improving strategic management and strengthening its principal operator," said the OECD.
"Finally, France will be able to strengthen its strategic approach to development cooperation if it specifically targeted at the fight against poverty. A stronger focus on the least developed countries and fragile states will increase impact tremendously," according to the OECD.
Paris "should also start relying more on non-governmental organizations and engage more in the humanitarian sphere, just like other donor nations," said the organization.
According to figures from the OECD, the level of ODA from France amounted to some 9.94 billion U.S. dollars in 2007, which placed the country the third among DAC members.
But this amount which is equal to 0.39 percent of the gross national revenue, represents a decrease compared to that of 0.47 percent in 2006, as is the case with most of the other members.
Source:Xinhua
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