OAS and OPHI sign Joint Declaration on Multidimensional Poverty

OPHI and the Organization of American States signed a Joint Declaration on March 9 to promote the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) both nationally and regionally in the Americas.  In a formal ceremony in the headquarters of the Organization of American States, the Secretary General of the OAS, Luis Almagro stated that it was essential for international organizations such as the OAS and OPHI to join forces to promote the adoption of the MPI as a technical tool that allows governments to better understand poverty and provides the data for better monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda. 

Sabina Alkire noted that OPHI has already worked with the OAS in promoting south south exchanges and training. She highlighted that 12 Latin American countries would participate the week of March 13 in a one-week OPHI led seminar on the MPI method in Bogotá, Colombia. The training is supported by the OAS, as well as by the Government of Colombia. 

The Joint Declaration establishes a formal working Group between the OAS and OPHI to develop ways of supporting the work of the Multidimensional Poverty Peer Network, OPHI and the OAS. The declaration calls for support of capacity building in OAS member countries to help them adopt effective public policies to tackle poverty and promote human development. This OAS-OPHI collaboration will facilitate interactions, trainings and south-south exchanges, as well as joint research projects and joint regional events—all with the aim of promoting inclusive development through better measurement and more targeted social programs to tackle poverty in its many dimensions.