Flags of various nations in front of the main building of the United Nations

    Background International agreements on the promotion of good governance

    Following the Second World War, numerous agreements and resolutions were adopted that highlight the importance of responsible governance – including, for example, the 1950 European Convention on Human Rights and the 1966 United Nations human rights covenants.

    In the field of development policy, good governance became a key factor for peace, security and the eradication of poverty. Many of the goals set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (adopted in September 2015) can only be achieved with the help of good governance.

    Sustainable Development Goal 16 is devoted to this aspect: by 2030, the international community intends to “provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels”. During the 2030 Agenda negotiations, Germany was a vocal advocate of the aspects laid down in SDG 16.

    In the 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, the 2008 Accra Agenda for Action and the 2011 Busan Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation, the international community made a commitment to step up its support for good governance in partner countries in order to make develop cooperation efforts more effective.


    OECD

    The Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has a Network on Governance (GovNet) that fosters knowledge sharing between experts from the realms of academia and practice. Its aim is to enhance the capacity of development cooperation activities in the field of governance and increase the capacity of partner countries' governmental institutions.

    Europe

    According to paragraph 1 of Article 6 of the Amsterdam Treaty on European Union, the European Union is founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law. The EU's external and development policies are also based on these principles of good governance.

    In March 2020, the EU adopted its Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy for 2020 to 2024. In May 2024, it extended the Plan to 2027. The Plan underlines the European Union's commitment to protecting human rights and promoting democracy across the globe.

    Africa

    The African Union (AU) seeks to promote good governance in its member states. The Constitutive Act of the African Union (2002) declared the promotion of good governance to be an important objective of the signatory states. In 2007, that aim was reiterated in the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.

    Latin America

    The Organization of American States (OAS) considers democracy to be the best basis for peace, security and development in the region. Article 1 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, which was adopted in 2001, stipulates that the peoples of the Americas have a right to democracy and their governments have an obligation to promote and defend it.

    As at: 06/08/2025