Role of International Cooperation in Poverty Eradication
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• 02 Nov 2023

International cooperation plays a pivotal role in eradicating poverty. The global community, under the Sustainable Development Goals, has committed to ending poverty by 2030, with targets like improving living standards, social protection, equal access to resources, and crisis resilience. Poverty eradication is a collective responsibility.

International organisations like the United Nations and partners like IFAD provide loans and grants to rural communities, enhancing agricultural productivity and resilience. The IMF advises member countries on economic improvement. Sharing knowledge and best practices globally increases efficiency.

Global initiatives like China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), proposed by China in 2013, foster connectivity and cooperation along Silk Road routes. International cooperation fosters solidarity, mutual accountability, trust, and resources to support poorer nations in their poverty reduction efforts.

Collaboration among Nations to Combat Poverty

A few key milestones and frameworks that have shaped the global agenda for poverty eradication include: the Millennium Declaration (2000), which committed to reduce, by half, the number of people living in extreme poverty by 2015; the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (2002), which emphasised the need for pro-poor policies and strategies; the World Summit for Social Development (1995), which recognised poverty eradication as an ethical, social, political and economic imperative; the Rio+20 outcome document (2012), which reaffirmed the need to prioritise poverty eradication within the United Nations development agenda. The World Economic Forum (WEF) enables collaboration among different stakeholders, such as governments, businesses and civil society, to tackle poverty.

One of the ways to fight poverty is to learn from the examples of successful international efforts that have made a difference in the lives of millions of people. For instance, The Gates Foundation founded by Bill and Melinda Gates, has donated $50 billion to support initiatives that improve health care, education, and the environment. Furthermore, the Borgen Project, a nonprofit organisation that advocates for the US government to increase its foreign aid budget and support policies that benefit the poor, raises awareness and mobilises public support for global poverty reduction through both virtual and physical efforts.

Several countries have individually achieved poverty reduction through sincere efforts in policy framing, welfare programmes and more. For example, China has lifted more than 800 million people out of poverty since 1978, achieving the largest poverty reduction in history. Even Rwanda increased its life expectancy from 49 years in 2000 to 67 years in 2018.

According to the World Bank, poverty declined from 59% to 39% between 2001 and 2014 and Rwanda’s economic growth has built upon previous success to exceed 10% in 2019.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 interconnected objectives established by the United Nations to address the world's most pressing challenges and promote a more equitable and sustainable future for all. At the heart of these goals is the ambition to eradicate poverty in all its forms. International cooperation plays a pivotal role in achieving this noble objective. Poverty knows no borders, and its eradication demands collaborative efforts across nations. By working together, countries can share resources, knowledge, and best practices to ensure that no one is left behind. The SDGs provide a universal framework that encourages governments, organisations, and individuals to unite in their commitment to ending poverty, fostering economic growth, and safeguarding the planet for future generations. As we explore the role of international cooperation in poverty eradication, it becomes evident that these goals serve as a powerful catalyst for a more just and prosperous world where every person has the opportunity to thrive.

Challenges and Obstacles

Effective international cooperation faces several obstacles. Varied national priorities, values, and strategies can hinder cooperation, as countries may be reluctant to contribute to public goods, peace, and security. The issue of free-riding emerges when some nations benefit without contributing their share. Cooperation relies on voluntary agreements rather than strict laws, posing challenges in monitoring and sanctioning non-compliance. Power imbalances further complicate matters, as powerful nations may exploit their influence at the expense of others.

Overcoming these challenges demands trust-building through communication and dialogue, sharing information, and peaceful dispute resolution. Countries must recognise the benefits of cooperation and receive equitable rewards. Effective institutions and mechanisms, such as global organisations, treaties, and platforms for negotiation, are essential for facilitating and coordinating cooperation.

Role of International Organisations

The UN, IMF, and World Bank are international institutions that play important roles in poverty eradication. The UN supports the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as coordinates amongst all its member nations to organise and ensure collaborative efforts to reduce poverty levels and enhance living conditions. The IMF promotes macroeconomic and financial stability, provides policy advice and offers loans to countries facing payment problems.

The Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative was initiated in 1996 by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and various other multilateral, bilateral, and commercial lenders, providing debt relief to eligible low-income countries. The WB promotes long-term economic development and poverty reduction and supports reforms and projects in various sectors. It also leads the HIPC Initiative and coordinates with other donors and creditors to reduce the debt burden of poor countries. These institutions work together to help countries achieve their poverty reduction strategies and the SDGs.

Success Stories of Countries Benefiting from International Cooperation

There has been gradual yet substantial improvement in poverty reduction and eradication facilitated by International Organisations like the United Nations, International Monetary Fund and World Bank to name a few, in countries like Albania, Ethiopia, Cambodia, Tajikistan and Vietnam. On analysing the socio-economic nature of developing and underdeveloped countries like India and Bangladesh, it can be stated that both national and international organisations and groups have helped tremendously in eliminating poverty levels.

The United Arab Emirates is a major contributor in global humanitarian initiatives like supporting programmes in healthcare, education and sanitisation and agricultural sectors. It has partnered with organisations like WHO and World Food Programme.

India has improved living conditions in regard to its magnanimous population with the support and aid from United Nations and IMF through programmes like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the Public Distribution System (PDS).

Conclusion

International cooperation is essential for the ongoing fight against poverty, as it can help address the root causes and consequences of poverty in a comprehensive and coordinated way. International cooperation can improve access to sustainable livelihoods, entrepreneurial opportunities, and productive resources for the poor. It can provide universal access to basic social services, such as education, health, water, and sanitation and develop social protection systems to support those who cannot support themselves, such as the elderly, the disabled, and the unemployed. It helps in empowering people living in poverty and their organisations to participate in decision-making and policy-making. The initiative also addresses the disproportionate impact of poverty on women and promotes gender equality and also allocates increased shares of Official Development Assistance (ODA) to poverty eradication and ensure its effectiveness.

Sources:

1. Poverty eradication | Department of Economic and Social Affairs (un.org)
2. Poverty Eradication | Poverty Eradication (un.org)
3. World leaders call for greater international cooperation to tackle hunger and poverty at IFAD global meeting
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10. What makes an effective cyber crime investigator? (unodc.org)
11. Solving World’s Problems Requires ‘Global Cooperation Based on Agreed Rules’, European Union High Representative Tells Security Council | UN Press
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14. UAE is a major contributor to global efforts to eradicate poverty - GulfToday
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16. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/debt/brief/hipc
17. https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/migration/rw/NHDR-Summary_English-version.pdf

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