Policy Updates

On February 14, 2024, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström presented the Government’s Statement of Foreign Policy in Sweden's Parliament, outlining the country's foreign policy priorities for the year.

The listed priorities included:

• Unyielding support for Ukraine: Sweden has positioned itself as a steadfast supporter of Ukraine. The Swedish Government has pledged continued political, humanitarian, military, and financial support to Ukraine, demonstrating an enduring commitment "for as long as it takes." Since the onset of the full-scale invasion in the spring of 2022, Sweden has contributed approximately SEK30 billion (US$3 billion) in support, with 80% of this assistance provided under the current administration since 2022. The government has approved 14 military support packages and is preparing further assistance, signaling a deep commitment to Ukraine;
• Modernizing development assistance: Sweden's approach to development assistance is undergoing a modernization process, aimed at creating better living conditions for those affected by poverty and oppression. The new reform agenda for Swedish development assistance policy emphasizes the importance of market economies, investment, trade, and education in alleviating poverty and integrating developing countries into the global economy. The agenda is focused on clearer results and transparency in ODA;
• Global health: The government highlighted that global health remains an ODA and foreign policy priority, particularly in SRHR. Sweden will continue to be a vocal advocate for gender equality;
• Countering democratic backsliding: Sweden highlighted that the promotion of democracy and human rights remains a top priority amidst rising concerns over democratic backsliding worldwide. Development cooperation is positioned as a crucial tool in combating these trends, with a particular emphasis on strengthening civil society organizations as indispensable partners in these efforts; and
• Expanding climate assistance and humanitarian support: Recognizing the urgent need for environmental action, Sweden is expanding its climate assistance, making it more effective, and contributing to the acceleration of the green transition. As one of the world's largest humanitarian donors, Sweden is committed to continuing this assistance, including by addressing the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement and fostering conditions for sustainable reintegration.

On February 15, 2024, South Korea and UNFPA held their first-ever policy meeting to address issues related to the global population and humanitarian assistance.

Regular financial contributions to UNFPA have been made by the Ministry of Health and Welfare since 1997, however, the UNFPA budget was transferred to MOFA since 2024.

Director General for Development Cooperation at the MOFA Do-yeon Won and Deputy Executive Director for Programmes at UNFPA Diene Keita led the meeting.

Won expressed the government’s strong vision to contribute to solving global problems as a global pivotal state with the expansion of the ODA budget. In particular, South Korea plans to strengthen humanitarian assistance and close cooperation with UNFPA.

Won and Keita shared strategies and policies of each to deepen mutual understanding and discuss future priorities for cooperation including the prevention of sexual violence in conflict situations as a part of the HDP Nexus. The meeting reflected the willingness of both sides to strategically and systematically develop cooperation between South Korea and UNFPA.

On February 16, 2024, HIV/AIDS advocates, during a town hall with PEPFAR Head Dr. John Nkengasong, raised concerns that changes to PEPFAR COPs diminish the active role that civil society has historically played in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

COPs, which have been known for its intense planning processes on implementation of country activities, provide advocates with the opportunity to voice support for certain vulnerable populations. Growing threats of criminalization and stigma against these populations have particularly concerned advocates about changes to the plans.

PEPFAR changed COPs timelines from an annual to a two-year cycle in an effort to streamline the planning process during a midpoint review in early February 2024. While advocates agreed that the new planning cycle is a positive step, they expressed that they felt shut out from planning meetings as well as concerned that data was not provided in a timely way.

On February 16, 2024, South Korea and UNOCHA held their 7^th policy meeting to discuss ways to respond to the humanitarian crisis through development cooperation.

The policy meeting has been regularly held since 2015, based on the memorandum of understanding signed between the MOFA and OCHA in 2013

Director General for Development Cooperation at the MOFA Do-yeon Won and Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator at UNOCHA Joyce Msuya led the meeting.

Won expressed that South Korea will increase the effectiveness of humanitarian assistance as a global pivotal state. Msuya praised the South Korean government’s efforts to strengthen humanitarian assistance and noted its partnership with UNOCHA is developing.

The policy meeting came as the South Korean government expands its contributions to the international community by increasing the quantity and quality of South Korean humanitarian assistance responding to complex humanitarian crises.

On February 12, 2024, Dutch informant Ronald Plasterk submitted a report concluding uncertainty regarding the formation of a new government coalition among the four negotiating parties.

Establishing a Dutch cabinet involves a ‘scout’ who explores potential coalition parties. Then an 'informant', which may be the same person, leads negotiations between the identified potential coalition parties. Successful negotiations lead to a coalition agreement. A ‘formateur’, usually the leader of the largest coalition party, appoints ministers and state secretaries. The formation is complete when the new prime minister reads the government statement.

Plasterk’s report noted that the four negotiating parties, which are the nationalist, right-wing populist PVV, the conservative-liberal VVD, the Christian Democratic NSC, and the right-wing populist BBB, have a shared commitment to the Dutch Constitution. This is important considering the PVV’s electoral manifesto contained ambitions to ban Islamic schools, Korans, and mosques, which would breach constitutional freedom of religion.

Uncertainty remains about whether the four parties could enter a fruitful coalition due to the NSC’s withdrawal from negotiations on February 6, 2024. Plasterk recommended appointing a new informant to address the format of a future cabinet, a concern raised by the four parties.

On February 14, 2024, Kim Putters, president of the SER and a member of the PvdA, like Plasterk, was appointed as the new informant. Putters’ task for the next four weeks will be to explore avenues for political collaboration in line with the recent election outcomes.

On February 13, 2024, the US Senate passed an US$95 billion emergency funding bill with funds for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, with US$10 billion of the funding marked for humanitarian assistance.

The majority of the funding, US$85 million, was for military aid.

The bill ultimately passed with bipartisan support. It has moved to the US House, where experts believe it will face great difficulties in securing approval. NGOs have rallied behind the bill, identifying critical needs in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan.

If signed into law, assistance will go to humanitarian needs in Gaza, Ukraine, refugees in conflict areas, the World Bank's IDA special program for its crisis response window, and operating expenses.

The US Speaker of the House has indicated that it is unlikely that the House will vote on the package, however, a small bipartisan group has been attempting to craft an alternative bill with a greater chance of approval.

On February 12, 2024, AICS, in partnership with MAECI, launched a US$196 million (EUR180 million) call for proposals for projects led by CSOs and local Italian authorities.

US$130 million (EUR120 million) is slated for projects led by CSOs. US$66 million (EUR60 million) is slated for initiatives from Italy's regional and local authorities.

The new grant is the highest-value call for development cooperation in this sector in recent years, and the first operational follow-up to Italy's Mattei Plan for Africa.

85% of the resources will be allocated to Africa. 15% is slated for other countries, including Ukraine.

On February 12, 2024, the Council of the EU's ministers of development cooperation hosted an informal stocktake of EU development cooperation.

Hosted by the Belgian Council presidency, the meeting included an update on the MFF revision's additional funding to the Ukraine Facility. Additionally, the event included a session with Commissioner-General of the UNRWA Philippe Lazzarini.

In response to allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, the EU paused all additional assistance to UNRWA until the end of February 2024.

Anticipating the possibility of the delay of US$88 million, Lazzarini highlighted the effect of withdrawn and frozen assistance on the organization's ability to continue supporting individuals in Gaza, stating that shortfalls could begin to impact initiatives starting in March 2024.

Additionally, Lazzarini answered questions from the ministers regarding the state of investigations and the agency's plans to mitigate future risks. All Member States highlighted the need for increased support for Gazan civilians while underscoring the importance of the release of hostages and the rule of international and humanitarian law.

On February 12, 2024, Norwegian Church Aid launched a report titled The West against the rest, which contained several development suggestions to Norwegian political parties as the parties draw up their programs for the 2025-2029 parliamentary period.

Norwegian Church Aid argued that, compared to most countries, Norway has a unique financial leeway considering its notable additional income from oil and gas sales following the war in Ukraine. As such, Norway has an opportunity and a special responsibility to contribute to worldwide development.

Norwegian Church Aid presented a variety of program proposals with the expressed hope that the political parties will take them into consideration.

The suggestions included:

• Ensure that, as a general rule, investments in global common goods are financed outside the one percent. The investments should still be earmarked for development assistance for poverty reduction and emergency assistance;
• Step up climate financing in line with Norway's fair climate responsibility;
• Work on international regulations making it possible to collect illegal or illegitimate debts;
• Support a tax convention in the UN;
• Actively support free media, independent courts, and local civil society;
• Step up work against GBV in areas of crises and conflict;
• Invest a larger share of the Norwegian Oil Fund in low-income countries; and
• Enshrine further measures to ensure that Norwegian weapons are not used in violation of humanitarian law and human rights.

As a response to these suggestions, both the Labour Party and the Conservative Party underlined that Norway must continue to be an international bridge builder. The SV called for more political solidarity.

Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide has promised that 1% GNI/ODA will still go to development assistance. The Conservative Party stated that, going forward, it would be imperative to discuss how Norway spends money allocated to international development, and the Norway must be more concerned about the results and effects of development assistance.

On the January 11, 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a third government reshuffle, with the new government including many ministers from the right wing party Les Républicains, potentially a move to stave off the rise of the far right.

Macron and his camp noted hope that the new government will prepare them for the European elections in June 2024 and presidential elections in 2027. The reshuffle also ended the premiership of Elisabeth Borne, which was marked by political and social unrest since 2022.

Newly appointed, 34-year-old Prime Minister Gabriel Attal is a long-standing ally of Macron. While domestically popular, especially with the young, his appointment was criticized by the opposition as a choice too close to Macron.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna was replaced by Stephane Séjourné, who was also early supporter of Macron. Bruno Le Maire is set to remain at Ministry of Finance with an expanded scope on energy transition.

Full government appointments, including that for the Secretary of State for Development, are due to be communicated in early February 2024.