For decades, helping the least developed countries to develop was considered beneficial for the international community as a whole, as well as the duty of countries with more resources.
However, this philosophy is called into question by certain rich countries, which have decided to reduce or even end the financing of projects and initiatives designed to support the poorest countries in the world in the world in their attempts to improve the living and well-being of their citizens.
Before the fourth International Conference on Development Financingwhich takes place in Seville, Spain, between June 30 and July 3, Ms. Granados told Antonio Gonzalez of the UN News that, despite uncertainty, many rich countries, including Spain, always believe in the need to finance and solidarity between nations.
This interview has been changed for more clarity and length
UN News: Is development financing as we know it?
The Spanish Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Eva Granados.
Eva Granados: Cooperation in global development and solidarity are not only beneficial for everyone, but also a political and moral duty.
It is true that, in the past year, there has been a reduction in official development aid, but this is not the case for all countries. Spain, for example, has increased its contribution to official development aid by 12%.
Philosophy behind development is certainly questioned in certain circles, but it is the same type of denial that calls into question the need for policies calling for equality between men and women, or the reality of the climate crisis. There are a lot of people who make a lot of noise, but we are much more who believe in global solidarity. We must explain and explain why this solidarity and international cooperation are important.
I believe that all the peoples of the world have a duty towards each other, and we must counter these stories; Climate change clearly affects us all and solidarity between the sexes is beneficial for the whole of society.
In 2015, during a conference in Addis Ababa [which laid the groundwork for a landmark international agreement on financing]We talked about debt problems, international taxation, trade and research. It is the work of those of us who are involved in cooperation and development of development to develop this program.
UN news: why is it in the interest of richer countries like Spain to spend money on international development?
Eva Granados: In the case of Spain, international cooperation and global solidarity are part of our social contract. Cooperation and peaceful relations between the peoples of the world are included in our Constitution and the focus of a 0.7% contribution of our gross national income to international cooperation is registered in law.
And that benefits our country. For example, during COVID 19 Pandemic, it was clear that, although the challenges were national, the solutions were global. Another example is climate change. The Mediterranean is strongly affected, both on the European and African side. We must cooperate and work in a coordinated manner, train partnerships and create global policies.
UN News: There is an annual gap of 4 Billions of euros in the funding necessary for development and what is currently collected. Can this gap be filled?
Eva Granados: The financing gap is important, but relatively speaking, 4 euros of euros still represents only one percent of the financial transactions which take place each year. I think we have a lot of scenarios where it can be made.
If all donor countries contributed to 0.7% of gross national income, we would barely meet 10% of funding for development. This means that we have to do our best to attract investments and work with the private sector.
We must also help create global tax systems that distribute wealth and end the situation in which two out of five citizens live in countries that spend more for debt service than for education or health services. It is unacceptable that the richest and richest on the planet contribute so little to international development. Super rich people and large multinationals should do more.
UN News: What results do you want to get out of this conference?
Eva Granados: These are uncertain times, but Seville is a ray of light for global solidarity. The countries represented at the conference report that they believe in multilateralism.
The objective is to obtain more and better resources for sustainable development. We have to combine ambition with action. Just like in Addis Ababa, where we were able to reach an agreement on a large number of questions, Seville is the time to put concrete questions on the table and to bring together the political will of the world leaders to conclude agreements.
Seville is also a good time for us to define this point of view from the point of view of women. It is important that, in all the chapters of the document we discuss, the needs of women are at the forefront.
And it is important that the final document includes a follow -up mechanism, so that countries can be held responsible on an annual basis for the commitments we reach, and the commitment of all Member States to contribute to official development aid.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
