Policy Updates

Each week, Donor Tracker's team of country-based experts bring you the most important policy and funding news across issue areas in the form of Policy Updates.

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102 NGOs criticize French ODA cuts

February 27, 2024 | France, Agriculture, Education, Gender Equality, Climate, Global Health | Share this update

On February 27, 2024, 102 French NGOs signed an op-ed published in Le Monde.

The article called out France’s February 2024 budget cut of EUR742 million (US$804 million). CSOs argued the cut goes against Macron's 2021 Development Law, which set France on the path to acheiving a 0.7% ODA/GNI ratio. The article stated that by reducing its financial commitments, France had reduced its influence on the international stage at a time when it should be reaffirming its support to multilateralism and CSOs.

The article also underscored the impact that the cut would have on the poorest countries, highlighting projects across sectors that would be reduced or cut due to diminished funding.

Led by Coordination Sud President Olivier Bruyeron, signatures included:

  • UNICEF France President Adeline Hazan;
  • ONE France President Najat Vallaud-Belkacem;
  • Action contre la Faim President Aïcha Koraïchi;
  • Oxfam Director General Cécile Duflot;
  • WWF Director General Véronique Andrieux;
  • Secours catholique Director General Adélaide Bertrand;
  • Mouvement pour le planning familial Director Sarah Durocher;
  • Handicap International Director Manuel Patrouillard;
  • Global Citizen Vice-President for International Advocacy Friederike Röder;
  • Equipop Executive Director Aurélie Gal-Régniez;
  • CARE France co-directors Emanuela Croce and Alexandre Morel;
  • AMREF Health Africa Josselin Léon;
  • Friends of the Global Fund Executive Director Hélène Berger; and
  • Action Santé Mondial Director Patrick Bertrand.
Press release - Le Monde (in French)

France plans major initiative for 'children of the planet'

January 19, 2024 | France, Nutrition, Education, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health, Global Health | Share this update

On January 19, 2024, the French Presidency announced that France will launch, around the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games next July, a major initiative for the children of the planet focusing on health, nutrition, and education issues.

Political advisors to French President Emmanuel Macron have shared that France will use the Olympic Games as well as the presence of numerous heads of states in Paris for the opening ceremony to ask for commitments to global nutrition, health, and education.

The initiative follows the Global Coalition for School Meals, which held its first meeting in France in October 2023. The coalition supports the objective that all schoolchildren worldwide have access to meals necessary for good learning and growth by 2030.

News article - Le Figaro (in French)

EU announces over US$3 billion in new agreements at Global Gateway Forum

October 27, 2023 | EUI, France, Education, Global Health, Climate | Share this update

On October 25-26, 2023, the EU hosted the Global Gateway Forum, which invited stakeholders from international businesses, partner countries, and CSOs.

The two-day conference aimed to increase visibility of the Global Gateway program, the EU's investment and ODA platform, which aims to strengthen Europe's ties with partner countries while addressing contemporary challenges like climate change or energy transition.

Over the course of the conference, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Uprilainen announced a variety of partnerships and funding, including:

  • EUR634 million (US$669 million) for global health, including EUR500 million (US$528 million) for a partnership between the EIB, BMGF to support SMEs working on global health R&D and vaccine development, and EUR134 million (US$141 million) to support health product manufacturing in Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa;
  • EUR500 million (EUR528 million) to launch a credit facility for the EU's Just Energy Transition Partnership with Vietnam, which will focus on decarbonization projects, and was accompanied by EUR1 billion (US$1.1 billion) in loans from the EIB, AFD, and KfW;
  • EUR470 million (US$496 million) for Bangladesh, including an EUR395 million (US$418 million) loan from the EIB for solar and wing projects, and EUR70 million education, and combatting GBV;
  • EUR146 million (US$154 million) from the EU and AFD for Tanzania to support the construction of a hydropower plant on the Kagera river;
  • EUR72 million (US$76 million) for the 2023 EU - Kenya cooperation priorities, which included assistance for green energy transition, shoring up cybersecurity, combatting female genital cutting, and strengthening democratic structures; and
  • EUR46 million (US$49 million) to support the foundation of a Regional Teacher Facility in Africa to support the realization of commitments made at the 2022 Transforming Education Summit, with an emphasis on foundational learning, capacity-building, and technical assistance for partner countries in Africa.

While the event resulted in a variety of high-level commitments, observers expressed concern at the mismatch between representation from partner countries, many of whom sent heads of government or state, and EU Member States, some of which either did not attend or were represented by lower-level officials.

Press release - EU-Tanzania Hydropower AgreementPress release - EU-Africa Regional Teacher FacilityPress release - EU-Kenya Cooperation PrioritiesPress release - EU-Bangladesh AgreementPress release - EU-Vietnam JETPPress release - EU-Global Health Commitments

EU provides US$827 million for Nigeria through Global Gateway

October 19, 2023 | France, EUI, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health, Agriculture, Education, Climate, Global Health | Share this update

On October 19, 2023, Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen pledged EUR780 million (US$827 million) in ODA loans and grants for Nigeria through the global Gateway program.

The funding was announced ahead of the 8th Nigeria - EU strategic dialogue, which convened EU representatives and members of the new Nigerian government to discuss existing partnerships and new opportunities for cooperation. Key components of the support included:

  • EUR116 million (US$123 million) in ODA financing agreements for global health, sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture, SRH and MNCH, energy access and renewable energy capacity, and education, all with a focus on supporting women and young people; and
  • EUR600 million (US$636 million) in EIB loans for a green transportation project for inland shipping, with support from the AFD, support for SMEs, and renewable energy capacity.
Press release - European Commission

French NGOs publish ambitious recommendations ahead of CICID

July 3, 2023 | France, Gender Equality, Global Health, Education | Share this update

On July 3, 2023, ahead of the forthcoming CICID, Coordination SUD, the French national umbrella organization of NGOs, published its recommendations for an ambitious development policy.

Coordination SUD formulated six guiding recommendations for France's new strategy:

  • France should reaffirm its commitment to reach 0.7% ODA/GNI ratio, as formulated in the 2021 development bill;
  • 15% of France's ODA should be channeled through multilaterals to reach the OECD donor average;
  • France should increase the volume of its grants to focus on LDCs and the most vulnerable population through the support of water and sanitation, education, health, social protection, and other essential services;
  • 75% of bilateral ODA should be allocated to gender equality as a significant objective and 75% as a principal objective;
  • The development policy should reaffirm its commitments to support children and the youth as central actors of social transformations; and
  • Development policy should be guided by the principles of global solidarity and should not be subject to political or economic instrumentalization.
Report - Coordination SUD Position paper (in French)

EU launches climate partnerships at Paris Summit

June 23, 2023 | EUI, Germany, US, France, UK, Global Health, Climate, Education | Share this update

At the Paris Summit for a New Global Financing Pact, the EU announced several pledges and partnerships to support partner countries in adapting to climate change.

In partnership with France, Germany, the UK, and Canada, the EU launched a new Just Energy Transition Partnership with Senegal. With the help of international development banks and other partners, the group aimed to mobilize EUR2.5 billion (US$2.7 billion) to diversify Senegal's power supply and increase domestic access to renewable energy.

The EU, via the Team Europe initative also provided an additional EUR300 million (US$328 million) to Rwanda's Resilience and Sustainability Facility. Building on existing commitments of US$319 million made through the IMF, the funding included commitments from the EIB, AFD, IDC, and other partners. The funding was allocated to projects to bolster the capacity to author and enact policy changes to respond to climate change.

Additionally, the EIB announced an EUR10 million (US$11 million) loan to Barbados for healthcare resilience. The pledge also included a commitment to improve partnership on WASH, renewable energy, and climate change.

Press release - European Commission

C7 releases critical review of May 2023 G7 Hiroshima Summit

May 24, 2023 | Japan, Canada, France, UK, US, Germany, Italy, EUI, Education, Agriculture, Gender Equality, Climate, Global Health | Share this update

On May 24, 2023, Civil Society 7 released its review of the May 2023 G7 Hiroshima Summit.

The report looked at six topics, including the nuclear disarmament, climate and environmental justice, the transition to a fair economy, global health, humanitarian aid and conflict, and a resilient and open society, and presented the following findings:

  • Nuclear Disarmament: The G7 summit did not focus on nuclear disarmament, and its leaders did not show any commitment to starting time-bound negotiations. While condemning Russia’s nuclear threats, they justified their own nuclear weapons as being for defense and deterrence;
  • Climate and Environmental Justice: The G7 summit acknowledged the need to strengthen adaptation measures, enhance resilience support for vulnerable groups, and increase support to the most vulnerable countries for avoiding, minimizing, and addressing losses and damages. It emphasized the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, including non-CO2 gases, and reaffirmed commitment to global methane reduction efforts. However, the report argued that the G7’s approach to climate change, in particular its descriptions of fossil fuels, is far from ideal;
  • Transition to a Fair Economy: The G7 summit prioritized “economic security” from its perspective rather than focusing on resolving challenges faced by partner countries. It aimed to decouple supply chains from China, but such decoupling could impose additional burdens on developing countries. The summit lacked strong commitments regarding debt restructuring, international negotiations, and debt cancellation. It also weakened the organization's stance on business and human rights;
  • Global Health: The G7 summit fell short of expectations due to time constraints and limitations imposed by Japan. It failed to address intellectual property rights as a key factor in addressing the pandemic and ensuring equitable access to therapeutics. The summit lacked specific commitments, and its focus was more on ordering and reaffirming previous pledges rather than providing the required funding and technological contributions;
  • Humanitarian Aid and Conflict: The G7 summit's commitment of US$21 billion in support, with particular focus on addressing food crises and prioritizing education, was welcomed. However, apart from this financial commitment, the summit lacked clear and concrete commitments. It failed to mention the importance of strengthening local leadership and access to humanitarian aid and protection; and
  • Resilient and Open Society: The G7 summit did not address the concept of an open society or democracy in its statements. It neglected to discuss civic space and shrinking civil society, and its focus on democracy mainly revolved around countering information warfare. The summit did not address issues like digital space safety, fake news, freedom of expression, or topics covered in previous G7 meetings. The treatment of non-regular immigrants and their dire situations was a significant problem. The summit lacked references to freedom of expression and did not improve citizen participation or support for civil society organizations.

C7 aims to achieve a society envisioned by the SDGs that leaves no one behind, and its criticism of the G7 Hiroshima Summit was presented as a means of holding leaders to account for their role in building a better world.

Press release - Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (in Japanese)

France's Macron announces new direction for French relations with African partner countries

February 27, 2023 | France, Global Health, Gender Equality, Education | Share this update

On February 27, 2023, French President Emmanuel Macron, introduced, in Paris, his new vision of the partnership between France and the African continent.

Macron's statement came ahead of a visit to Gabon, Angola, Congo, and DRC. In particular, he highlighted that renewed partnerships with African countries would center:

  • A transformation of France' defense policy and the co-construction of capacity building needs with other armies;
  • Gender equality;
  • Education, training for teachers, and professional training;
  • Health;
  • Climate change;
  • Support for entrepreneurs;
  • Support for digital industries and culture; and
  • Close work with civil society and intellectuals and academics to promote democracy and freedom.

Macron marked the announcement of this new direction for France's partnership with African countries with a second announcement of a new development cooperation instrument. As a start, Macron stated that EUR40 million (US$42 million) will be allocated to French embassies based in francophone countries.

Speech - French Presidency (in French)

EU launches US$217 million 'Initiative on Green Recovery' in Nepal

February 7, 2023 | EUI, France, Germany, Education, Agriculture, Climate, Gender Equality | Share this update

On February 7, 2023, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen launched a €200 million (US$217 million) Team Europe Initiative on Green Recovery in Nepal.

The initiative is supported in partnership with Germany, Finland, and France under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy. Specifically, the partnership will receive €142 million (US$154 million) from the EU budget and more than €60 million (US$65 million) from Finland, France, and Germany.

The initiative will fund green growth in Nepal by supporting small shareholder farmers and the agro-forestry sector. It will also support increasing access to energy, water, sanitation, nutrition services, and education. Additionally, the program aims to increase women’s participation in leadership and the economy.

Press release - European Commission

G7 leaders support UN-led international humanitarian response in Afghanistan, call on Taliban government to uphold international human rights

August 31, 2021 | Canada, EUI, France, Germany, Global donor profile, Japan, UK, US, Education, Global Health, Nutrition | Share this update

The UK, as President of the G7 in 2021, hosted a virtual leaders’ meeting of the G7 on August 24 to discuss the current situation in Afghanistan.

The leaders, delivering a statement from the meeting, called for a cessation of all violence, and agreed to support an UN-led international humanitarian response. The G7 leaders also called upon the new Taliban-led government to uphold international human rights particularly for women and girls and uphold international humanitarian law.

The UN has estimated that 18 million people are now in need of humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan following the collapse of the government and the Taliban takeover, as US and UK troops withdrew from the country. The UN has also warned that the violence in Afghanistan must stop, noting that if current trends continue, Afghanistan could record the highest-ever number of documented civilian casualties, since the UN’s began collecting annual data on these figures.

The UK has agreed to increase its official development assistance (ODA) to Afghanistan to £286 million (US$384 million) and has committed to receiving 20,000 Afghan refugees over the next five years. It also has an Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) which was launched on April 1, 2021 and will remain in place until November 2022, that offers any current or former locally employed staff working for the UK government in Afghanistan (that is assessed to be under serious threat to life) to be offered relocation to the UK.

G7 Leaders' statement - G7

News article - BOND

G7News article - BOND

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