In Brussels we convened a rountable titled Bridging Policy and Practice roundtable to examine how European development cooperation is navigating an increasingly complex global landscape. Following the 2025 OECD DAC Peer Review, this session brought together representatives from the OECD, EU institutions, and partner nations: including Cuba, Peru, and Indonesia, alongside civil society and think tanks to translate high-level recommendations into tangible action.
The heart of the discussion centered on the current “paradigm shift” toward economic security and the Global Gateway. Participants debated how to ensure these strategic initiatives remain effective in Least Developed Countries, where market-based solutions are often difficult to scale. Amidst rising geopolitical tensions, the dialogue also underscored the urgent need to protect the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus in fragile regions like the Sahel, ensuring that the evolution of the Team Europe approach maintains its core commitment to poverty reduction even as ODA budgets face mounting pressure.
We extend our sincere gratitude to CONCORD for co-organising this vital exchange and to ECDPM for hosting the discussion. Together, we continue to work toward a European development model that balances strategic interests with sustainable, inclusive impact
Pictures by: Jonathan Hunter, ECDPM
