International Cooperation Forum: Sharing Expertise for a World in Common

Uniting Our Talents to Build Tomorrow’s World

In a global context marked by instability, the health crisis, and climate transitions, Expertise France organised the first two editions of the International Cooperation Forum (RIC) in 2021 and 2022. These events brought together the international technical cooperation community, both online and in Paris, including practitioners, decision-makers, researchers, NGOs, civil society representatives, and development partners from around the world.

The first edition, held in February 2021, focused on priority actions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, biodiversity loss, and rising inequalities, as well as on innovations to enhance the effectiveness of development cooperation. More than 15,000 participants from 75 countries followed the discussions, confirming the importance of a global, innovative, and cross-cutting approach.

The second edition, in October 2022, aligned with key international events such as the climate COPs and major multilateral gatherings. It emphasised the need for a just and democratic ecological transition through two core themes: democratic governance and state resilience, and the intersection of planet, development, and human rights. Roundtables, workshops, and exhibitions highlighted the experiences and expertise of field actors.

These forums illustrated the profound transformation of international cooperation, now grounded in shared dynamics and a strong commitment to inclusion—particularly of younger generations. Institutions, international organisations, researchers, and civil society came together to imagine concrete solutions and jointly build a more just and sustainable future.