Alexia Latortue argues that development cooperation in Africa should begin with each country's own balance sheet and priorities. In an interview for the RootsToFoods Capital Series, she said governments should define their needs before outside partners arrive with programs. Latortue is head of the secretariat for the Future of Development Cooperation Coalition and a former US Treasury assistant secretary. She said the international system created after the Second World War needs substantial redesign around the visions of the countries it aims to support. Latortue also rejected the argument that aid has died, suggesting instead that cooperation must change in how it is designed and governed. The report did not specify the policy changes or funding mechanisms she would use to implement that approach.