Ireland’s Development Cooperation Priorities in 2023: A Renewed Commitment to Agenda 2030
David Donoghue, former Irish ambassador to the UN and chair of this inaugural lecture in the Development Matters series, extended a warm welcome to Seán Fleming, T.D., Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora.
In his introductory remarks, Michael Gaffey, Director-General of Irish Aid, introduced Minister Fleming and invited him to elaborate on Ireland’s development programme and policy priorities for 2023 and 2024. Reflecting on the current global landscape, Mr Gaffey emphasized the importance of the IIEA as an external forum for Irish Aid, which provides a collaborative platform in Dublin where global leaders in development can contribute to the crucial debate on issues such as humanitarian crises, food and nutrition policies, security, and climate. Mr Gaffey recalled some highlights of the year, such as Minister Fleming’s recent visits to Malawi and Zambia. He also highlighted President Biden's expression of appreciation for Irish Aid's work during his visit to Ireland in 2023 and his support for Ireland’s development cooperation partnership with USAID in combating global hunger, addressing food security and engaging in gender-responsive climate action.
Challenges Faced by the International Community in 2023
Minister Fleming addressed Ireland’s International Development Goals for 2023, commencing his speech by identifying the challenges facing the international community, such as the global fight against poverty, assistance in humanitarian crises, and tackling inequality.
He said that the impact of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2023, exacerbated by Ukraine’s vulnerability due to increased international trading and dependence on external food supplies, weighed heavily on Ireland. He acknowledged that food and energy prices have remained at heightened levels, increasing the challenges faced by the most vulnerable populations globally. The escalation of conflict, increased violence, and sudden weather events have further compounded these issues. This dire situation has led to widespread starvation and malnutrition, with a disproportionate impact on women and girls. Over 345 million people grappled with severe food insecurity in 2023.
Irish Aid’s Cash-transfer Programme in Malawi
During a visit to Malawi, Minister Fleming said he witnessed first-hand the aftermath of Cyclone Freddie, which displaced over 800,000 people in a country already facing development challenges. Irish Aid launched a social cash-transfer programme in Malawi, where families in need receive a few hundred euros a year on a Mastercard, which the families can use to pay bills or withdraw money. Mr Fleming expressed confidence that through this innovative programme, recipients have the potential to leapfrog over a century in development within a remarkably brief period. Despite the limited electricity access in Malawi, the Minister was pleased to report that the programme functioned efficiently, reaching even the most remote areas through innovative technology.
While Irish Aid typically collaborates with well-established NGOs, EU Programmes, and the United Nations, Minister Fleming highlighted instances where Irish Aid worked directly through the Irish Embassy, specifically in Malawi, where 50% of Embassy efforts focused on local partnerships for projects like the social cash-transfer program.
Gender Inequality in the Developing World
Addressing the matter of women and girls, Mr Fleming acknowledged the nuanced landscape where developing countries lag behind Ireland in certain aspects of gender balance and equality yet lead in others, particularly in political representation. However, he shed light on the unfortunate reality that persists in some communities, where families tend to overlook the education of their girls, deeming it futile, as girls are expected to leave their families upon marriage.
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine and Ukrainians in Ireland
One significant challenge Ireland faces stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine is the presence of 85,000 Ukrainian individuals currently in Ireland. The future trajectory of these Ukrainians remains uncertain regarding their return to Ukraine after the war, though he anticipated many may choose to stay in Ireland long term.
Ireland’s Increased ODA
Minister Fleming was pleased to highlight the increased allocation of Ireland's Official Development Assistance (ODA) through the European Union and Team Europe. Emphasising the need for coordination at the EU level, he underscored the importance of avoiding crossovers, gaps, and duplications with other countries' programs.
Ireland’s Civil Society Partnership (ICSP) for A Better World
In a significant development this year, he stated that a new funding initiative for Irish NGOs, entitled Ireland’s Civil Society Partnership (ICSP) for A Better World, had been launched with a substantial budget rising to €500 million allocated for the period from 2023 to 2027. This initiative aims to provide Ireland's partners with the necessary flexibility and predictable funding, ensuring the full implementation of their policy programmes. Looking ahead, Minister Fleming has proposed within the Department of Foreign Affairs that one of the prerequisites for NGOs to qualify for funding should encompass achieving not only a better gender balance but also a more equitable geographic balance in their board memberships.
Furthermore, Mr Fleming highlighted other challenges in 2023, specifically addressing the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria. He noted the significant loss suffered by the Irish-based aid agency GOAL, with 32 local staff members directly affected by the earthquake. He emphasised the real impact of such disasters on Irish operations, acknowledging the increased risk faced by frontline staff working in these challenging conditions.
Ireland’s Commitment to Fighting Malnutrition and Transforming Food Systems
With regard to the Horn of Africa, Minister Fleming addressed the prolonged issue of crop failures spanning the last 5 to 6 years, leading to severe starvation for over 30 million people. He highlighted Ireland's commitment at the New Nutrition for Growth Summit in December 2021 to allocate over €800 million to support nutritional programmes over the next five years. Emphasising the significance of this commitment, Minister Fleming stressed its crucial role in the global action plan to address child-wasting. Ireland had pledged €50 million to develop community-based management of acute malnutrition, one of the most transformational developments in the treatment of wasting.
Linked closely to the transformation of food systems, he said, is the critical need to address climate change. During COP 26, the then Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, confirmed Ireland's commitment to more than doubling the national contribution to the Global Climate Finance Fund, aiding developing countries. In 2021, Ireland contributed less than €100 million, a figure set to rise to €225 million by 2025. Minister Fleming projected the figures for 2023 to reach around €120 or €130 million, signifying a substantial increase. He expressed confidence in maintaining this upward trajectory, asserting Ireland will reach €225 million by 2025, a gesture signalling the country's strong commitment to increasing funding for the Global Climate Finance Fund.
Education and Development
Minister Fleming continued by underscoring the importance of education for development and Ireland's commitment to ensuring access to it for all. He recounted his experience during a visit to a school in Zambia supported by Irish Aid, where 1500 primary and 1500 secondary school children receive excellent-quality education. Ireland was also a founding member of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) in 2002 and has committed €60 million to support GPE's initiatives, ensuring progress towards the goal of education for all. Additionally, Ireland is a strong supporter of the Education Cannot Wait programme.
He then struck a cautionary note on the importance of safeguarding funding to address the more acute challenges faced in Africa compared to other regions like Eastern Europe. He encapsulated this sentiment by saying: "Those left behind are those we have to look out for first."
In his closing statement, he reiterated the pivotal role of education in fostering development. Reflecting on his visit to Africa, he stressed that financial aid and equipment alone are insufficient. For this reason, Irish Aid is committed to enabling individuals to help themselves. He drew attention to the significance of maintaining focus on personal stories, suggesting that the strong support from the Irish community for Irish Aid projects is rooted in their connection to these human stories.
Disclaimer: The ideas, opinions and comments in this blog are entirely the responsibility of its author and do not necessarily represent or reflect Irish Aid policy.