For purposes of consistency, the DATA Report primarily monitors progress against commitments for countries that submit ODA data to the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC). All of the EU15 members do so and are thus the group represented in this analysis. Based on the 2005 and subsequent commitments, the EU15 have committed to collectively increase ODA to sub-Saharan Africa from €11.7 billion ($16.4 billion) in 2004 to €28.2 billion ($39.3 billion) by 2010.
Statement from head of state
‘I want this announcement today – along with the EU’s agreement last month to get on track to double aid – to send a powerful European message to the G8 table about the level of European ambition in this crucial year for development. The EU is already the biggest aid donor in the world, contributing 55% of overall aid. We are already the world’s biggest and most open market for developing countries. But we can and we are determined to do more.’
JOSE MANUEL BARROSO PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION GLENEAGLES SUMMIT, 6 JULY 2005
‘Promoting development has to be part and parcel of Europe’s response to global challenges. We have a chance to make this a new decade for development and I am personally committed to push this agenda at the global level during this year's G8 and G20 summits and in the UN MDG Review Meeting.’
JOSE MANUEL BARROSO PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION BRUSSELS, 21 APRIL 2010
‘I want Europe to remain the main and most credible leader in the fight against poverty. We have to respect our promises of more and better aid to halve poverty by 2015. The Goals are still achievable, provided there is financial effort and political will from EU Member States.’
ANDRIS PIEBALGS EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER FOR DEVELOPMENT BRUSSELS, 21 APRIL 2010
Overall assessment
Measured as a bloc, the European Union’s development assistance to sub-Saharan Africa increased by €644 million ($897 million) in 2009. Although at 4% this represented the smallest annual increase since the Gleneagles commitment was made, the EU’s performance has historically been strong and it has delivered a €4.4 billion ($6.13 billion) increase since 2004. ONE estimates that the EU’s ODA to sub-Saharan Africa will increase by an additional €1.794 billion ($2.499 billion) in 2010, meaning that it will meet 38% of the combined increases promised at Gleneagles.
The EU ODA targets for sub-Saharan Africa were ambitious. Combined, the EU15 represented 72% of the total commitments made to the region. Calls for interim targets to be set on the path to 0.7% of GNI globally by 2015 are commendable.
Looking ahead
In 2005, the 27 countries of the EU committed to ambitious aid targets: 0.7% for the EU15 and 0.33% for the EU12 by 2015. Interim targets were set for 2010: 0.51% GNI for the EU15 and 0.17% for the EU12, with at least half of all new resources going to sub-Saharan Africa. Although the EU still has some way to go to meet these commitments, it remains the world’s largest donor.
Spain has put development high on the agenda for its EU Presidency. The European Council meeting on 17–18 June 2010 will set the EU’s position for the September MDGs Summit, and will mark the first time that the MDGs form the main point of discussion between the EU’s leaders at a Summit. It is crucial that Spain, along with all member states and the EU’s leadership of President Barroso, President Van Rompuy, High Representative Ashton and Commissioner Piebalgs, commit the EU to a strong plan for the MDGs and maintain their commitments on ODA and particularly on delivery to Africa.
There are important political and institutional changes taking place in the coming months that will define whether the EU can remain a global leader on development aid in the years ahead.
Firstly, a shake-up of EU foreign policy may have enormous implications for the way in which development aid is prioritised and spent. The new High Representative, Cathy Ashton, is putting in place a plan for the EU’s new European External Action Service that may see the High Representative having some involvement in development policy. These changes will need very careful scrutiny to ensure that development funds remain completely focused on poverty alleviation. The EU has a strong history of keeping development policy high on the agenda, and the Brussels institutions play a vital role in trying to keep member states on track to achieve their individual and collective commitments on ODA. It is vital that changes to the institutions do not allow for any opening up whatsoever of the development budget for political ends, and that the Development Commissioner remains responsible for all aspects of development policy and budgets.
Secondly, the EU is also planning for its next Financial Perspective: the overarching multi-annual budget for EU expenditure from 2014–20. The EC and other EU institutions must achieve the following three steps with the next Financial Perspective:
- Increase the overall budget for External Actions;
- Ramp up ODA levels within that budget to help get the EU on target for its 2015 goals; and
- Ensure that the EU’s commitments to Africa are met and that partnership between Europe and Africa is a key feature of the next budgetary cycle.
