FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Marti Hogan
mhogan@idfa.org
(202) 220-3535
The Multilateral Aid Review Act of 2017 provides an overdue analysis of the effectiveness of investments in global institutions
Washington, D.C., October 6, 2017 – Yesterday, the EAGL Coalition applauded the introduction of the Multilateral Aid Review Act of 2017, an important first step to ensuring greater accountability at international organizations.
“The Multilateral Aid Review Act is an essential first step towards greater accountability and transparency at international institutions,” says National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Vice President of International Economic Affairs Linda Dempsey. “At a time when budgets are tight and discussions about global institutions abound, everyday Americans believe in the need for engagement but want to know that their interests are being protected. This act ensures that taxpayer funds are being responsibly allocated and highlights investments in international institutions that work – and those that are not in line with U.S. foreign and economic policy. It adds a level of accountability, both at home and abroad, that is definitely needed to ensure the nation’s economic interests are furthered.”
The Multilateral Aid Review Act requires the U.S. government, led by the State Department, to conduct a methodologically-based analysis of U.S. investment in global institutions, assessing the relative value, effectiveness, and impact of the United States’ participation.
Echoing this support for the proposed legislation, Michael Dykes, D.V.M, President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) noted, “The U.S. dairy industry’s goal is to produce and market the safe, nutritious dairy foods that consumers want. By helping to assure that international policy is transparently developed, scientifically based and cost- effective, we believe this bill will support our goals and minimize barriers to achieving them.”
The review would assess investments in global institutions, multilateral banks and other selected multinational organizations based upon five criteria:
- The relationship between the organization’s stated goals and its actual results
- Its transparency and accountability
- Its alignment with United States foreign policy objectives
- Whether it takes a multilateral approach versus a bilateral approach
- The amount of redundancies and overlap of the organization’s activities with other institutions
Critically, the proposed legislation emphasizes the importance of these reviews to gather data and better understand where U.S. efforts are best expended. The sponsors note that other nations, notably Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom, have undertaken similar analyses, allowing them to ensure that the resources that they allocate generate the greatest impact.
This proposed legislation is a needed first step towards ensuring smarter investment at home and greater accountability for international organizations abroad. We look forward to Congress continuing to build upon these efforts and seriously addressing the need for reform abroad, creating a fairer and more effective international system for us all.
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About the EAGL Coalition – Comprising 26 industry associations throughout America’s dynamic manufacturing economy, Engaging America’s Global Leadership (EAGL) promotes strong U.S. leadership at the United Nations and champions outcomes in all global forums that support manufacturing and jobs.