US State Depart Issues FINAL Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review

The full text of the FINAL QDDR is linked here. (17 MB, 250 pages)

As unveiled in a summary article from Devex, a few of the reactions from the development community are recapped below:

 

“I welcome the release of the State Department’s first Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review.  After nearly two years of serious and deliberate work, this review will provide an important road map to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our diplomatic and development agencies.  The QDDR represents the kind of critical thinking we need to help us achieve our national security and foreign policy objectives.  I look forward to working with Secretary Clinton and Administrator Shah, as well as my colleagues in the Congress, as we consider legislation to implement the priorities identified in the QDDR.” - U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement.

“The QDDR represents an ambitious agenda filled with commitments to “do better.”  Operationalizing those commitments, and changing the culture required to do so will be difficult.  If State and USAID do not constructively engage with Congress, I can predict that many of the proposed changes will not see the light of day.” - Connie Veillette, Director of Rethinking U.S. Foreign Assistance Program at the Center for Global Development, wrote in a blog post.

“There is seemingly much to like about the QDDR, such as its well-placed focus on the role of women and girls in peace-building and development, but the review raises many questions.  Ultimately, to make this type of review quadrennial in fact, rather than just in name, and to leave behind a legacy of institutional reform, the administration would do well to work closely with Congress. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has boldly chosen to try to fundamentally change the culture of the State Department—a large project to say the least. With the full 200+ page QDDR now available, expect to witness a lively debate on whether this is possible and whether progress is being made.” - Noam Unger, Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network principal and Brookings Institutions global economy and development fellow.

“The QDDR reinforces many of the findings and proposals that have emerged after more than two years of hearings, briefings and roundtable discussions in the House Foreign Affairs Committee. By giving our diplomats and development professionals the right tools, adequate resources, and the flexibility to try new approaches, we can deliver cost-effective results and restore the confidence of the American people that their tax dollars are well-spent.” - Congressman Howard Berman (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said as quoted by the MFAN blog.

“Critically, the QDDR endorses the suite of reforms we began earlier this year—USAID Forward—recognizing this Agency’s need to develop new systems and capacities to deliver against these new opportunities. We will continue to streamline our work and cut red-tape, transforming our Agency into a modern, efficient development enterprise. But we also must renew our engagement with our interagency partners in a spirit of inclusive leadership and cooperation, and focus thoughtfully, aggressively, and primarily on delivering results for those we serve.” - USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah wrote in  the “Impact” blog.