The future of the partnership between the EU and the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) after 2020 was discussed at the 17th ‘OCT-European Union Forum’ in Papeete (Tahiti), which ended on Friday 1 March with the launch of "new programmes to tackle climate change...and create sustainable employment opportunities", according to the European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica.
The Commissioner has signed off on cooperation programmes for a total amount of €44 million, financed by the European Development Fund (11th EDF), including €18 million for a climate change mitigation and sustainable energy programme covering all OCTs.
The remainder will go to specific OCTs: 13 million euros to support the University of Aruba as the first academic research centre on sustainable island solutions; €9 million to support reconstruction work in Sint Maarten and the British Virgin Islands (respectively €7 million and €2 million) after Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
At the end of the 11th EDF (with a budget of €31.5 billion for the 2014-2020 period), which finances both the partnership with the 79 ACP countries (Africa/Caribbean/Pacific) and the 25 OCTs, the EDF will be integrated into the new single instrument 'Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation' (NDICI instrument) of the EU's 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework (see EUROPE 12184, 12041). (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)