Portugal has increasingly taken a leading role in the multilateral space for development co-operation, seeking to defend and obtain special attention from the international community for Africa and, in particular, for the least developed countries, for states considered fragile and/or in conflict situations and for small island developing states. On the other hand, it has sought to strengthen the Portuguese speaking space through an appreciation of the CPLP's intervention and develop a bilateral-multilateral approach that enables the comparative advantages of Portuguese co-operation to be enhanced in the light of the Paris Declaration and the Accra Agenda for Action in the context of aid effectiveness. With the adoption in September 2015 of a new agenda that will be in force until 2030, new challenges will arise for countries, which will also require a new model of co-operation that truly promotes inclusive sustainable development in a more effective and efficient way.
Thus, Camões, I.P. monitors:
- The United Nations international discussions on development issues, in particular in the context of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, and at the summits that have taken place (e.g. Development Finance, Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States, Millennium, Summit 2030, among others), preparing the national position to be taken within the EU.
- United Nations agencies working in the field of development, such as UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) and UNESCO, collaborating not only through contributions to its resources as well as through the financing of specific projects in the partner countries of Portuguese co-operation.
- The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development) and, within it, the DAC (Development Assistance Committee) and the DEV (Development Centre). Preparation for national participation in the meetings of these two OECD bodies and the preparation and participation in some of the DAC groups and networks are also the responsibility of Camões, I.P.
- The CPLP (Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries), with Camões, I.P. acting as the focal point for co-operation and therefore preparing and participating in meetings of focal points, as well as financially supporting the existing Special Fund in the European Union for co-operation projects.
- Ibero-American co-operation, where it also has the role of Head of Co-operation and, as such, represents the Portuguese state in all meetings that concern the Heads of Co-Operation. It also co-ordinates Portugal's participation in this Ibero-American space in which the various sectoral ministries are involved.
- Other fora and funds in the area of development co-operation: the Global Forum on Migration and Development and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
The management of contributions from Portugal to some multilateral organisations is also a competence of Camões, I.P., some intended for regular resources, others having exceptional features.