There is a final document! We don’t have to reschedule our flights. And there seem to be quite some people who think that this is a good outcome.

We are not too overwhelmed by the results. Clearly: this was a difficult environment for such a conference with one of the biggest financial crisis since decades going on and the US as most important player in-between two administrations.

In the final communiqué donors gave a weak reaffirmation of existing commitments. Interesting is the language on timetables encouraging all donors to present by the end of 2010 timetables how they want to reach their aid commitments. This is particularly relevant for the EU countries. They will have to tell their population and development partnershow to reach the famous 0,7% by 2015, the fraction of GNI which is supposed to go to development. It also includes detailed language on aid effectiveness, without explicitly endorsing the Paris declaration.

What we think is positive is that it is acknowledged that adaptation to climate change in the developing countries will demand additional funds – but not specifying who has to contribute those additional resources (which is not so positive). The climate change conference in Poznan will have to confirm that it is the polluter (i.e. developed countries) that should pay.

The main thrust in the area to tackle corruption came through a number of side events. This topic was clearly on the top of the list of many NGOs and was muched talked about in the hallways. The document mentions “effectively combating tax evasion” but unfortunately does not name measures against tax havens explicitly. It also urges all states to “consider ratifying” UNCAC.

It is quite a success for the developing countries that they managed to have a UN-conference in 2009 on the highest level about the impact of the financial crisis on development. This was something they and many NGOs fought for very hard because the concern was that the poorest countries would not have a say in the new financial architecture if it would be only discussed among the G20. Other language on trade and debt relief were rather general.

These were interesting days, talking to delegations and journalists and following the negotiation process. The special envoys of the Secretary General, the German Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul and the South African Minister Trevor Manuel did a good job in pushing for more and better aid and encouraging progress on innovative financing for development. The story will continue next year in London at the G20 conference. Until then we say “over and out” from Doha! Thanks for following us through these days!

-Sergius Seebohm