Turkey's Role in Development Cooperation

This paper examines Turkey as a rising provider of resources and expertise to support development efforts in other countries. Turkey’s efforts have attracted less attention internationally than the activities of other cooperation providers including China and India. However, in light of the recent expansion of its engagement, analyzing the profile of Turkish cooperation is useful both in understanding similarities between the orientations adopted by “old” and “new” aid providers, and the potential for learning from actors now gaining visibility as development partners. The paper provides an overview of Turkish development cooperation priorities, highlights the specificities of the Turkish model compared to those of other aid providers, and concludes with reflections on how UN entities and other actors can foster improved engagement with Turkey as an aid provider.