Development Assistance Committee

The Development Assistance Committee (DAC) is the principal body through which the OECD study issues related to cooperation with developing countries.

Members

There are currently 23 members of DAC, including the European Commission, which acts as a full member of the committee, although it is not a member state in the judicial meaning of the term.

Founding members (1961):
Belgium Canada European Commission France Germany Italy	Japan Netherlands Portugal (Joined in 1961, withdrew in 1974 and re-joined in 1991.) United Kingdom United States
Joined later (listed alphabetically with year of admission):
Australia (1966) Austria (1965) Denmark (1963) Finland (1975) Greece (1999) Ireland (1985)	Luxembourg (1992) New Zealand (1973) Norway (1962) Spain (1991) Sweden (1965)

History

Formerly known as the Development Assistance Group, the DAC was created by Ministerial Resolution of 23 July 1961. Its primary function is to work as a forum for its members in issues related to development. In other words, it is a specialized committee where its members discuss their bilateral aid programmes.