Brussels, 20/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - If the majority of member states do not substantially increase their efforts to keep to their individual commitments on Official Development Assistance (ODA), the total ODA of the EU will reach a level of just 0.45% of GNI by 2015. In order to hit its target of 1.7% by 2015, an additional €41.3 billion must be mobilised, by redoubling efforts in a very short space of time. The Foreign Affairs Council, meeting in its Development format, undertook once again to do just this, in Brussels on Monday 19 May, in its approval of the annual report to the European Council on the commitments and results of the EU on official development assistance in 2013.
In its conclusions, the Council reiterates that it will give the political impetus needed. The member states which failed to reach their individual official development assistance targets have already been called upon to get back on track by taking realistic, verifiable measures. They are also called upon to share information with the other member states on these measures and on their planned official development assistance expenditure - which may spur them on to keep to their commitments.
“Development cooperation remains a key priority for the EU (…). The EU and its member states reaffirm all their individual and collective ODA commitments, taking into account the exceptional budgetary circumstances”, states the Council. The EU and its member states call on all other international partners - including new and emerging players - to be more ambitious to make their fair contribution to global efforts in favour of development.
The Council welcomes the European Commission's publication of preliminary data showing that the downward trend of ODA reversed last year (see EUROPE 11057). It welcomes the fact that, despite the ongoing budgetary constraints due to the continuing crisis, the EU has been able to hold onto its place as largest donor of funds in the world, accounting once again for “over half of the total official development aid”, with a contribution of €56.5 billion (less than 0.43% of its GNI). However, it also notes that these preliminary figures reflect the variable performances of the member states, as 16 member states increased their assistance by a total of €4.1 billion whilst, in 12 others, it fell by a total of €1.2 billion. (AN)