THE European Union’s High Representative and Vice-President Federica Mogherini and Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, yesterday announced that EURO 30.5 Billion worth of EU development cooperation shall come on stream following entry into force of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF).The EU and its Member States remain collectively the world’s largest donor, providing more than half of global official aid. As an important part of its external action, the EDF is a cornerstone of the EU’s international cooperation and development policy that concretely implements our partnership and dialogue with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries under the ACP-EU Cotonou Agreement. With a total of EURO 30.5 Billion, the 11th EDF will finance EU development cooperation projects until 2020 to assist partner countries’ own efforts in poverty eradication.
These funds come from EU Member States and will be managed by the EU to target the people most in need and to finance different sectors such as health and education, infrastructure, environment, energy, food and nutrition. The promotion of good governance, democracy and the rule of law are also other key areas that are supported as is sustainable development, including sustainable agriculture and rural development.
These are ways how the EU and its Member States are clearly signalling support to the future post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals so that we continue focusing all our efforts in countries where our EU aid can have the most impact. This is in line with our vision set out in the 2011 “Agenda for Change”.
EDF long-term development programmes are always agreed in close partnership with each of the countries or Regions. This ensures that cooperation is aligned to the respective national or regional priorities and that partner countries exercise their ownership of the development process. The allocation to Guyana comes to EURO 34 Million until 2020 and will focus on climate change adaptation, disaster reduction and sustainable infrastructure (including sea defences), building upon successful cooperation in this area in the past.
The EU is the largest grant donor to Guyana and is a committed partner to Guyana’s development. This year will mark the celebration of 40 years of EU-Guyana cooperation.