G7 Finance Ministers recognise IATI’s role in strengthening development finance data
G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors have recognised the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) in their official communiqué issued in Paris on 19 May 2026.
The communiqué highlights the need for increased cooperation and interoperability between the world’s leading development finance data systems to better support partner countries. It marks a significant endorsement by the G7, under the French Presidency, of IATI’s role within the global financing architecture.
Supporting interoperability between global data systems
The communiqué’s annexed declaration, “G7 Principles for Mutually Beneficial International Partnerships”, addresses the reporting of financial flows contributing to development. It states:
“We are supportive of the G7 Declaration in Support of an Ambitious DAC Review issued by Development Ministers, which calls on the OECD DAC to improve the measurement and reporting of financial flows contributing to development, from a partner country’s perspective, as a complement to official development assistance (ODA). This should be carried out by making the most of all existing data systems, notably the OECD Creditor Reporting System (CRS), as well as the Total Official Support for Sustainable Development (TOSSD) and the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) and with clear methodologies and safeguards against double counting. Interoperability between databases and cooperation between the DAC, TOSSD and IATI secretariats are essential.”
The communiqué aligns closely with IATI’s ongoing efforts to promote interoperability between complementary global data systems.
IATI provides real-time, forward-looking data on development and humanitarian finance that can support country planning, budgeting and coordination. While the OECD DAC and TOSSD provide verified annual data on past spending for global monitoring, statistics analysis and accountability. By calling for interoperability, the G7 is championing a more joined-up approach where these systems work together seamlessly rather than operating in isolation.
Building momentum through global cooperation
The endorsement follows IATI’s participation in the 2026 UN ECOSOC Financing for Development (FfD) Forum in New York last month.
During the Forum, IATI co-hosted a high-level side event with the Government of Nigeria titled “Revitalising Development Effectiveness: from Sevilla Commitment to Practice”. At the event, the Chair of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and the Head of the Secretariat of the International Forum on TOSSD both reaffirmed the importance of greater cooperation between global data systems. The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, also highlighted transparency and data interoperability as an important focus under France’s G7 Presidency. Speaking at the event Ms. Eléa Wermelinger, Deputy Head of Department for International Development at France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, said:
“TOSSD contributes to a broader understanding of development finance, beyond traditional aid. IATI, in turn, provides a globally endorsed standard and technical infrastructure that provides real-time data readily available to be ingested into country systems.”
Addressing critical data gaps
The need for better interoperability and more timely development finance data remains urgent.
According to the 2025 Development Cooperation Forum Survey, 42% of partner countries still receive incomplete or untimely data from development partners. Meanwhile, the 2026 UN Financing for Sustainable Development Report that draws on IATI data, found that only 15% of finance providers publish forward-looking budgets.
Without timely and predictable information, governments face significant challenges in planning, budgeting and coordinating development resources effectively. The recognition from the G7 on improving interoperability and development finance data represents an important signal of growing international support for more coordinated, interoperable and country-focused approaches to development finance transparency.
Going forward, IATI looks forward to continuing to work with G7 member states and international partners. This includes engagement through the “Bridging Data Systems for Financing for Development” initiative under the Sevilla Platform for Action (SPA), which is jointly co-led by IATI, the OECD, TOSSD and partners across the UN system. Together, these efforts can help ensure development finance data is useful for partner countries and the wider international community.