Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review Act of 2012

Agency for International Development. The purpose of these reviews is to strengthen the accountability and effectiveness of United States diplomatic and foreign aid programs to reflect the new challenges of the 21st century and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of diplomatic and development agencies. The legislation establishes a requirement for a review of United States diplomacy and development every four years, during a year following a year evenly divisible by four. The scope of the effort shall be a comprehensive examination of the national diplomacy and development policy and strategic framework of the United States. This examination is intended to set priorities and make recommendations regarding U.S. diplomacy and development, including guidance on programs, budgets, policies, and authorities of the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development. The Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review Act of 2012 also establishes a system for interagency consultations in the conduct of the diplomacy and development review. The Secretary of State, after consultations with the Department of State and USAID, shall consult with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, relevant congressional committees, and other relevant governmental and non-governmental entities. The contents of the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review shall include placing diplomacy and development efforts in the frame of national security strategy, providing analysis of State and foreign assistance bureaucracy organization and implementation metrics, and making recommendations for more efficient and effective allocation of resources. The legislation provides authorities for the Secretary of State to establish an Office of Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review, which the Secretary may staff using only existing resources to assist in discharging the functions of the quadrennial development and diplomacy review. The State Foreign Affairs Advisory Board is also required to provide an independent assessment of the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review. The committee recognizes that the QDDR, by necessity, must be a whole of government effort, reflecting appropriate participation and roles in a collaborative diplomacy and development review process by all stakeholders. The Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review Act of 2012 clarifies the measures by which the administration and Congress assess and evaluate United States diplomacy and development efforts, with the aim of furthering effective and results-oriented diplomacy and development efforts essential for protecting and advancing U.S. national security interests. The committee notes that the Administrator of USAID served as co-chair of the first quadrennial diplomacy and development review, completed in 2010, alongside the Secretary of State.