Austrian development cooperation
The Austrian Development Cooperation supports countries in Africa , Asia , South-East and Eastern Europe and the Caribbean in their sustainable social, economic and democratic development. The Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs (BMEIA / Foreign Ministry) plans the strategies and - predominantly bilateral - programs, the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the agency of Austrian development cooperation, implements these together with public institutions, civil society organizations and companies.
Austria's Official Development Assistance (ODA)
The actors
Development cooperation in Austria is a national task, which is why, in addition to the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs , other federal ministries, states and municipalities as well as the Oesterreichische Entwicklungsbank contribute to the official development assistance (ODA). Austria reports these contributions to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC ) ultimately decides which payments are actually eligible for ODA.
goals and tasks
Basics
The legal basis of development cooperation in Austria is the Development Cooperation Act (EZA Act), which was passed in 2002 and amended in 2003. It contains a specific catalog of objectives that prescribe development policy criteria for the entire federal administration. The key points are:
- Reduce poverty
- Promote security
- Protect resources sustainably
The basic principles applicable in the programs and projects are also anchored:
- Partner countries' own responsibility for their development path
- Respect for cultural diversity
- Equality between women and men
- Consideration for the needs of children and people with disabilities
The central development policy positions and strategic framework conditions are defined in the three-year program of Austrian development policy, which is updated annually under the auspices of the BMEIA . It primarily serves the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) as a basis for the implementation of bilateral programs and projects.
Focus
Austrian Development Cooperation advocates better living conditions and promotes sustainable social, economic and democratic development in partner countries. The focus regions are:
- Danube Region / Western Balkans
- Black Sea Region / South Caucasus
- West Africa / Sahel
- Southern Africa
- Himalaya Hindu Kush
- Caribbean
Austria also cooperates with Ethiopia, Uganda and the Palestinian Territories.
The foreign offices of Austrian Development Cooperation in the partner countries managed by ADA enable a continuous dialogue with all local actors and guarantee the efficient use of funds.
The thematic priorities of Austrian development cooperation are:
- Water and sanitation, renewable energy, climate protection, agriculture and forestry,
- Economy and development as well
- Human security, human rights and the rule of law.
In all programs and projects, particular importance is attached to the fact that women are involved in decision-making processes. The projects are also tailored to the needs of children and people with disabilities.
Bilateral development cooperation
The Austrian Development Cooperation offers partners support and cooperation. Country strategies, sector and regional programs and guidelines for joint work are developed in dialogue with the partner countries. Civil society organizations, professionals and other donor countries are also involved to ensure coherent and efficient results.
Multilateral development cooperation
Due to globalization, the coordination of development policy within international organizations and institutions is becoming more and more important. Due to globalization, the coordination of development policy within international organizations and institutions is becoming more and more important.
Austria is part of the European Union and thus the largest donor group in the world: together, the EU member states and the European Commission provide 55 percent of all international development aid. Austria makes both financial and substantive contributions to European development aid. Central areas of cooperation here are water, energy, security, rural development, gender equality, and the environment and climate change.
The development work of the United Nations and the international financial institutions are also supported. In 2000, the UN adopted eight millennium goals for sustainable economic and social development up to 2015. Austria supported their implementation in the areas of energy and the environment, water and sanitation, and security in particular. Austria is actively involved in the discussion on the development agenda after 2015.
The coordination of humanitarian aid programs is also part of multilateral development cooperation. In this area, Austria cooperates closely with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Red Cross , the United Nations Relief Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) and the UN World Food Program (WFP).
Web links
References and comments
- ↑ Law on Development Cooperation ( Memento of March 5, 2016 in the Internet Archive )
- ^ Three -year program of Austrian development policy