This report aims to make analysis of the transnational cooperation or ODA programs provided by international agencies and donor countries and, based on the findings and comparison, suggests suitable directions or models for Taiwan to consider in designing and providing its own ODA programs to countries with formal diplomatic relations.
The report is structured into six chapters. The first chapter examines recent development of ODAs in the world and such international organizations as the WTO and the World Bank. The second and third chapters make analysis of ODA development in Africa, Latin America and Pacific Islands, cross examining policies and programs provided by five major ODA donors in the regions: the US, Australia, Japan, South Korea and China. The fourth chapter reviews Taiwan’s ODA policy and various schemes, making a cost and benefit analysis in relation to their “effectiveness” in maintaining Taiwan’s national interests and diplomatic ties with recipient countries.
The sixth chapter provides policy recommendations for Taiwan government, categorized into the following parts:
i. to clearly state Taiwan’s ODA plans and objectives in a mid-term ODA strategic paper;
ii. to announce elimination of poverty, environmental cooperation, sustainable development, development of SMEs, and promotion of knowledge-base economy, inter alia, as Taiwan’s core values of ODA policy and priorities, and the institutional framework for implementing related work;
iii. to provide strategic region/country specific ODA policy, focusing on Africa, Latin America and Pacific Islands;
iv. to evaluate the appropriateness of establishing a Taiwan Development Center/Institute as a specified national think tank for research and promotion of development issues;
v. to review and improve current policy of appointment of “Ambassadors at Large”;
vi. to establish Taiwan Digital Opportunity Centers, based on the experience of ADOC projects in selected APEC member economies, in countries with diplomatic ties.