IATI strengthens links with development finance data systems

The IATI Secretariat is strengthening collaboration with other development finance data initiatives as part of its strategic commitment to improve interoperability across the global data ecosystem.

In October, the Secretariat contributed to discussions at the International Forum on TOSSD (IFT) General Assembly in Lima and the OECD Development Finance Data Forum in Paris. Both events explored how greater interoperability with the IATI Standard can reduce reporting burdens, improve data quality and increase the use of development finance data.

General Assembly of the International Forum on TOSSD

At the third General Assembly of the International Forum on TOSSD (IFT), held in Lima, Peru, on 13-14 October, a paper was presented on interoperability between TOSSD and IATI.

The session explored practical opportunities to strengthen links between the two systems. Drawing on a paper developed jointly by the IATI and IFT Secretariats, discussions focused on how existing IATI publications could support TOSSD reporting, helping to reduce duplication and make better use of data that is already published.

The paper also examined how TOSSD's validation processes could help improve the quality and consistency of IATI data. The discussion highlighted the potential benefits of greater interoperability, including more efficient reporting and stronger development finance data.

Linking IATI and the OECD's CRS

Interoperability was also a focus at the second OECD Development Finance Data Forum, held in Paris on 8 October by the OECD DAC Working Party on Development Finance Statistics (WP-STAT).

The forum brought together major publishers and users of development finance data to discuss how reporting systems can respond to evolving needs during a period of wider reform in the development finance architecture.

At the meeting, the IATI Secretariat and OECD presented Interoperability of data systems: Linking IATI and CRS. The paper provides an update on ongoing efforts to strengthen links between IATI and the OECD's Creditor Reporting System (CRS).

The IATI Secretariat joined a panel discussion on the practical challenges of improving interoperability across reporting systems. Contributors from the Government of Nigeria Development Cooperation, Publish What You Fund on behalf of the Hamburg Data Alliance, the European Commission and the OECD discussed ways to align standards, definitions and data flows while reducing duplication and reporting burdens.

These efforts received positive feedback from members who welcomed the collaboration between the two organisations and the progress made towards greater interoperability.

Building on the Sevilla Platform for Action

The discussions in Lima and Paris build on Bridging Data Systems for Financing for Development, an initiative launched under the Sevilla Platform for Action at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4).

IATI co-leads the initiative with the International Forum on TOSSD, the OECD and the UN CEB Secretariat. The initiative aims to strengthen interoperability across international data systems and reduce reporting burdens through greater alignment between existing reporting frameworks.

What's next?

These discussions form part of the IATI Secretariat's broader efforts to strengthen collaboration across the development and humanitarian data landscape.

At the upcoming IATI Members' Assembly on 10 December 2026, the Secretariat will present a paper outlining its interoperability strategy. The paper will set out key activities, partnerships and intended outcomes as IATI works to strengthen links with other development finance data systems and deliver on the ambitions of its Strategic Plan 2026-2030.