What are the countries' responsibilities to each other? The Conference considered many aspects of international involvement, and came up with several strong recommendations.

COOPERATION.
International agencies, donors, and governments must cooperate with each other and coordinate their efforts.  The economies of all countries will profit from this investment in human potential, but they will profit all the more if they invest wisely, and do not duplicate their work.  Donor partnerships will be essential --between developed and developing countries, private-sector agencies, and NGOs.

Donors should bear in mind the well-being of their intended beneficiaries, and draw up long-term programmes that will help them attain self-reliance.  One of the aims stated in the Programme of Action is to "support national capacity-building"; for example, to help developing countries build and maintain more health clinics and more schools.  More investment is needed from donors in order to meet the goals of the Programme of Action.

Developed and developing countries need to work together to address the problems caused by debt and structural adjustment of national economies; too often, what gets curtailed are the social services of the debtor nation.  If there is to be any hope of meeting the population and development goals outlined by the ICPD, these debts will need to be renegotiated.

Technology transfer to developing countries will be very beneficial, too; for example, for local production of affordable, quality contraceptives.

Developed countries are called upon to step up their efforts to curtail wasteful consumption of natural resources.

FUNDING GOALS.
The chapter on international cooperation also outlined funding targets for the international community.  If recipient countries are able to raise the money necessary for their share of the expense, the complementary monies needed from donor countries will be $5.7 billion in 2000, $6.1 billion in 2005, $6.8 billion in 2010, and $7.2 billion in 2015. The international community should endeavour to reach the agreed target of 0.7 per cent of their gross national product for overall official development assistance.  Commitment to the principles of the Programme of Action must be matched with commensurate financial contributions.

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"We are gathered here to answer a moral call to action.   Solidarity with present and future generations has its price.  But if we do not pay it in full, we will be faced with global bankruptcy."
Gro Harlem Brundtland.