4th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (9-13 May 2011,
İstanbul)
Special Event Activity by State Planning Organization (SPO)
“Turkey’s Development and Cooperation Experience”
12th May 2011 - 08:30 -12:00
Hamidiye Hall, İstanbul Convention Center, Harbiye
Time
Title and Spkear
Opening Remarks :
Mr. Kemal MADENOĞLU (Undersecretary of State Planning Organization)
I. Turkey’s Social and Economic Development Experiences
08:30 - 08:45 Participatory Planning Approach in Turkey and SPO’s Role:
Mr. Raif CAN (Planning Expert - SPO)
Regional Development Model
08:45 - 09:00
a. Model of Southeastern Anatolia Project:
Mr. Tolga EROGAN (GAP RDA - Project Coordinator)
09:00 - 09:15
b. Regional Development Policy of Turkey and Development Agencies:
Mr. Murat KARA (Planning Expert-SPO-Head of Department)
Rural Development Model
09:15 - 09:30
a. Village Infrastructure Support Project:
Mr. Özcan TÜRKOĞLU (Planning Expert - SPO)
Overcoming Poverty and Social Development Model
09:30 - 09:45
a. Social Support Programme:
Mr. Rıdvan KURTİPEK (Planning Expert - SPO)
09:45 - 10:00
b. Social Assistance System in Turkey:
Ms. Şebnem AVŞAR KURNAZ (Expert - General Directorate of Social
Assistance and Solidarity)
10:00 - 10:15
c. Access to Education and Schooling:
Mr. Aydın ASLAN (Expert - Ministry of National Education)
10:15 - 10:30 Question Answer Session
10:30 - 10:45 Coffee Brake
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II. Multilateral and Bilateral Cooperation Experiences
10:45 - 11:00 Technical Cooperation Activities:
Mr. Hacı Mahmut ASLAN (Planning Expert - SPO)
11:00 - 11:20 The Turkey – Syria Interregional Cooperation Program:
Mr. Kutluhan YILMAZ (Planning Expert - SPO)
11:20 - 11:40 COMCEC; As a Multilateral Cooperation Model Among LDCs:
Mr. Ali İŞLER (Planning Expert - SPO)
a. COMCEC Poverty Reduction Programs
b. Poverty Reduction Programs of Islamic Development Bank Under the
Auspices of COMCEC
11:40 -12:00 Question Answer Session
Objective: Success in adopting and executing development policies based on multi-layer good governance
model on international, national and regional levels, is the key element of the emerging role of Turkey in the
beginning of 21st century.
“Best Practices Turkey’s National Development Model” and “International Cooperation Models” are the
main themes of the symposium held by State Planning Organization (SPO) as part of UN 4th Least
Developed Countries Conference.
By discussion of Turkey’s development experiences, State Planning Organization seeks to contribute to the
capacity-building in management of development policies in Least Developed Countries.
I.
BEST PRACTICES IN TURKEY’S NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MODEL
1. Technical Cooperation Activities (SPO)
[Context]: Undersecretariat of State Planning Organization is one of the government agencies
responsible for coordination of technical cooperation activities in Turkey, in collaboration with Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. Coordination of projects implemented by UN agencies, notably by UNDP, in Turkey; and
contribution to UN Country Programme are activities that SPO is responsible for multilateral technical
cooperation domain. Preparation of Millennium Development Goals Turkey Progress Report and several
partnerships with UN agencies in establishment of international development centers in Turkey are also
recent examples of best practices of technical cooperation activities in Turkey. In bilateral technical
cooperation domain, SPO coordinates activities of international development assistance agencies, such as
JICA, GIZ, SIDA, AFD. SPO is also responsible for coordination of training programmes offers by other
countries; generally oriented to public servants in Turkey.
[Intention]: On international platform, Republic of Turkey has strong relations both with Western
and Eastern countries. This background leaded the enhancement of Turkey’s bilateral and multilateral
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technical cooperation capacity. In this chapter; Turkey’s coordination capacity of social and economic
development assistance activities within the country, will be introduced to the Least Developed Countries,
with the purpose of improvement of their technical cooperation capacity.
2. Rural Development Model
a. Village Infrastructure Support Project
[Context]: Village Infrastructure Support Project (VISP) is a centrally financed and locally
implemented rural development project, which basically aims to eradicate the infrastructure problems
related with road, drinking water. Small scale irrigation and sewerage investements are also included by the
project after 2009.
The main target group of the Project is the population of 12 million people living in 34 thousand
villages and 47 thousand sub-villages that do not have any municipal organization. In the period of 20052010 almost 4,9 billion USD has been allocated to the Project.
[Intention]: VISP is a model of governance mechanism established both at central and local level. At
central level the monitoring and evaluation committee was established among the related public agencies. At
local level also a committee was established which is headed by governor and has members from other
related departments. It can be concluded that the governance mechanism established for the Project could be
model replicated by the LDCs in terms of the programmes on rural infrastructure investments.
3. Regional Development Model
a. Model of Southeastern Anatolia Project
[Context]: The Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) is a multi-sector and integrated regional
development effort approached in the context of sustainable development. Its basic objectives include the
improvement of living standards and income levels of people so as to eliminate regional development
disparities and contributing to such national goals as social stability and economic growth by enhancing
productivity and employment opportunities in the rural sector. The project area covers 9 administrative
provinces (Adıyaman, Batman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Kilis, Mardin, Siirt, Şanlıurfa and Şırnak) in the
basins of the Euphrates and Tigris and in Upper Mesopotamia.
The GAP had originally been planned in the 70s consisting of projects for irrigation and hydraulic
energy production on the Euphrates and Tigris, but transformed into a multi-sector social and economic
development program for the region in the 80s.
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[Intention]: The project rests upon the philosophy sustainable human development, which aims to
create an environment in which future generations can benefit and develop. Thus, Southeastern Anatolia
Project will be introduced as an integrated development model to the Least Developed Countries.
b. Regional Development Policy of Turkey and Development Agencies
The aim of the regional development policy is defined in Ninth Development Plan of Turkey as; to
contribute to national development, competitiveness and employment by increasing productivity of regions,
and to serve the basic objective of reducing regional and rural-urban disparities.
As a general framework for regional development policies; National Strategy for Regional
Development will be prepared to ensure national-level coordination for regional development and regional
competitiveness and Regional Development Committee will be established to ensure coordination at the
local and central levels in the management of regional development policies.
Development Agencies are established in 26 regions covering entire Turkey for accelerating regional
development, ensuring sustainability and reducing inter- and intra-regional development disparities in
accordance with the principles and policies set in the National Development Plan and Programmes. They do
so through enhancing the cooperation among public sector, private sector and non-governmental
organizations. They also carry out researches concerning the determination of resources and opportunities of
the region, promote business and investment at the region, support small and medium-size enterprises and
new entrepreneurs and provide “one-window-shopping”; assist and follow-up permission and licence
transactions of investors.
[Intention]: The target is to convey regional development experience of Turkey consisting of
preparation of a national strategic framework, establishment of national and regional participation and
coordination mechanisms, and creation of regional development institutions equipped with skilled experts
and project finance mechanisms to participants of the meeting.
4. Overcoming Poverty and Social Development Model (SPO)
a. Social Support Programme (SODES)
[Context]: Social Support Program (SODES) is a human-centered program which was launched in
2008 within the framework of the extension of the implementation of the regional development projects. The
primary object of SODES is to enhance the social capital of the region and support the process of social
integration. SODES projects aim to increase employability, secure a further participation of the
disadvantaged sections of society in the economic and social life, and contribute to a better self-expression
of the children, youth and women in the region through cultural, artistic and sports activities. SODES
projects also make noteworthy contributions to the development of cooperation among public institutions,
local administrations and civil society organizations in the region.
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[Intention]: In virtue of the abovementioned facts, SODES is figured out to be an exemplary best
practice to be shared among the Least Developed Countries in their efforts to secure social inclusion of the
disadvantaged sections of society and poverty alleviation.
b. The Role of General Directorate of Social Assistance and Solidarity in Social Assistance
System in Turkey
[Context]: Turkey, which defined itself as a ‘social state’ in the Constitution, implements welfare
policies through several state institutions. General Directorate of Social Assistance and Solidarity (GDSAS)
is the most significant means of central state policy in terms of social assistance. It is the outstanding
institution representing Social State principle emphasized in the 2nd article of Constitution. Activities of
SYDGM are carried out by 973 local offices (SYDV) located in provinces/subprovinces around the country
and they are headed by the provincial or sub-provincial governors.
[Intention]: Several social assistance programs are being implemented by the GDSAS using the
resources of Social Assistance and Solidarity Fund for our citizens covered by the law no.3294. In this
session, information about the social assistance programs in Turkey will be mentioned as a best practice of
coordination of social assistance.
c. Access to Education and Schooling
[Context]: In 1997 compulsory education in Turkey was extended to 8 years (from 5). In the last few
years important developments have been achieved in primary education, and the net enrolment ratio has
nearly reached 100%. Moreover, the gap between the enrolment ratios for boys and girls has almost been
closed. Particularly effective in contributing to these advances have been the campaign “OK Girls, Off to
School” (“Haydi Kızlar Okula”), promoting the schooling of girls, the Conditional Cash Transfer scheme
and the use of bussing for children in remote locations. Moreover, in order to improve the efficiency of the
primary education system in parallel with the increasing access, radical changes have been introduced in
primary school curricula in the last few years, and efforts have been launched to improve the physical
infrastructure of school facilities and the qualifications of teaching staff.
[Intention]: At the primary school level, another aspect just as important as access is the acquisition
of basic skills. Although in recent years Turkey has come a long way in providing access to primary
schooling, for this progress to be meaningful it is necessary for educational outcomes to be brought up to
international standards. In this regard, Turkey’s experience in access to education would be introduced as an
example to Least Developed Countries.
II.
MULTILATERAL AND BILATERAL COOPERATION MODELS
1. The Turkey – Syria Interregional Cooperation Program (TSICP); As a Model of South-South
Cooperation
The Turkey – Syria Interregional Cooperation Program (TSICP), has been initiated between the
Republic of Turkey and Syrian Arab Republic (Parties) in 2006 in order to promote economic, social,
cultural and scientific cooperation between two countries’ border provinces. In Turkey, State Planning
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Organization undertakes the overall management of the TS-ICP whereas Development Agencies are
responsible for the coordination at local level.
[Intention]: TSICP mainly aims at; realizing economic, social, cultural and scientific development in
border regions through tangible cross-border mechanism, improving bilateral relations by supporting local
development, developing institutional cooperation at central and local levels, constituting a role model for
the other countries. In this regard, the Program might also be regarded as a successful South-South
cooperation model and could be replicated by the other developing countries.
2. COMCEC; As a Multilateral Cooperation Model Among LDCs
[Context]: Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of
Islamic Conference (COMCEC) is one of the three Standing Committees of Organization of Islamic
Conference (OIC) established in 1981 and being chaired by the President of the Republic of Turkey. The
duties of COMCEC are to take necessary precautions to strengthen the economic and commercial
cooperation between the member countries and to prepare cooperation programs and projects and to offer
recommendations in this regard. Currently 21 of the 57 member countries of COMCEC are in the LDC
category most of which are in Africa.
[Intention]: The activities undertaken by COMCEC in collaboration with relevant OIC Institutions
play a significant role for the efforts towards poverty eradication and sustainable development in COMCEC
Member States. In this regard, COMCEC activities might be regarded as a successful model for poverty
eradication and sustainable development for Least Developed Countries.
a. COMCEC Poverty Reduction Programs
[Context]: Under the COMCEC activities, several important projects and programs are undertaken to
strengthen the development of COMCEC-LDCs with the poverty reduction initiatives such as Vocational
Education and Training (OIC-VET) program and Cotton Program. OIC-VET programme, inspired by the
European experience with the Leonardo da Vinci Programme, aims to create an experience transfer
exchange zone within OIC countries.
The OIC Cotton Plan of Action was prepared as a collaborative poverty reduction strategy,
considering the vulnerability and high dependence on cotton in some OIC Countries, notably those of subSahara Africa and Central Asia. Within this framework,. This Plan aims to strengthen trade, investment and
technology transfer in/between cotton producing Member States, particularly, in Africa.
[Intention]: Currently 21 of the 57 member countries of COMCEC take place in the LDC category. It
is believed introduction of programmes implemented by COMCEC would serve to increase the institutional
and human capacity of LDCs, and also their attention and contribution to related programmes. Africa.
Sharing these experiences with Countries from different regions will create synergy and awareness to
enhance cooperation among the relevant sides.
b. Poverty Reduction Programs of Islamic Development Bank Under the Auspices of COMCEC
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[Context]: Islamic Development Bank based in Jeddah undertakes several programs under the
auspices of COMCEC regarding the poverty reduction such as Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development
(ISFD) and the Special Program for Development of Africa (SPDA) in order to alleviate poverty in some
Member Countries particularly in Africa. By focusing on infrastructure, agriculture and energy, the SPDA
intends to spur economic growth, re-invigorate agricultural production and create employment opportunities,
all being the key enablers for poverty reduction. This program targets to reach total amount of USD 12
billion of which USD 4 billion was realized.
[Intention]: The objectives of the Fund are focused on poverty alleviation and building the productive
capacity of member countries through targeted interventions that foster sustainable economic growth and job
creation, reduce illiteracy, and eradicate contagious diseases and epidemics such as malaria, tuberculosis and
HIV/AIDS. In this regard, ISFD and SPDA could be regarded as successful model for poverty reduction for
Least Developed Countries.
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