The Government of Ireland launched a framework policy that sets out its development aid priorities in terms of action to promote achievement of the SDGs.
The international development policy, titled A Better World, outlines steps toward reaching the Government’s commitment of contributing 0.7% of Ireland’s Gross National Income for ODA by 2030.
The policy announces many new initiatives around four areas of focus: prioritizing gender equality; reducing humanitarian need; acting on climate change; and strengthening governance.
28 February 2019: The Government of Ireland launched a framework policy setting out its development aid priorities for promoting achievement of the SDGs. The international development policy, titled ‘A Better World,’ outlines steps toward reaching the Government’s commitment of contributing 0.7% of Ireland’s Gross National Income (GNI) for official development assistance (ODA) by 2030. The policy announces new initiatives around four areas of focus: prioritizing gender equality; reducing humanitarian need; acting on climate change; and strengthening governance.
A Better World replaces Ireland’s previous international policy, ‘One World One Future,’ which was launched in 2013. The document notes that Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the UN co-chaired the intergovernmental negotiation process leading to the 2015 adoption of the 2030 Agenda, and it highlights Ireland’s commitment to responding to the changing global context. Since 2014, Ireland has increased its development aid by 32%.
On gender equality, the new policy outlines the Government’s commitment to: create a new funding initiative for women’s economic empowerment in agriculture; intensify its work on women, peace and security and on gender-based violence; increase funding for girls’ education, especially in emergencies; and develop a new initiative on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
On climate, the policy prioritizes: innovative approaches to climate finance, risk insurance and climate adaptation; strengthening support for small island developing States (SIDS), especially those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change; and developing an oceans funding initiative to explore the potential of the blue economy.
Ireland’s humanitarian aid efforts will develop a more comprehensive response to peace and security challenges, and increase funding and capacity for rapid response to sudden-onset crises. On governance, Ireland plans to protect civil society space, strengthen tax administration and promote inclusive economic growth and trade.
The policy was developed following a public consultation process launched on 12 July 2018, which invited written submissions. Public meetings also took place in September and October 2018. [Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Press Release]