Alexander De Croo signs nine new framework arrangements with multilateral partner organisations in New York

Today the signature of framework arrangements is planned with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNWOMEN, the UN entity on women and gender. On Thursday, the International Organization for Migration will follow. On Friday, framework arrangements will be signed with the Global Partnership for Education, the fund for education managed by the World Bank, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Earlier this year, five similar agreements were concluded with other partner organisations. By the end of 2016 all cooperation agreements must be signed with the fifteen partner organisations of the Belgian multilateral cooperation that were selected by the Minister last year.

Sustainable economic growth, human rights and Least Developed Countries

The new arrangements clearly follow the spirit of the new Sustainable Development Goals.

Alexander De Croo: "For Belgium, this means a strong focus on inclusive and sustainable economic growth and more particularly on entrepreneurship and cooperation with the private sector. We also concentrate on the least developed countries. Safeguarding and strengthening of human rights are also key aspects. The Sustainable Development Goals are a unique opportunity for our generation to lift millions of people out of extreme poverty and to provide more opportunities for human development. Belgium is looking forward to fulfil this ambition together with our multilateral partner organisations."

With these framework arrangements, Belgium also confirms its preference for the financing of the core budget of the partner organisations (core funding) over so-called ‘earmarked’ contributions. This approach is a sign of trust towards the organisations and their mandates. Our country also chooses  long-term financing that provides the partner organisations with additional predictability for their operating funds. With these two orientations Belgium remains a leader in terms of exemplary practices in the donors group.

Improved cooperation on the field

With the new framework arrangements the partners also commit to share information more systematically and not only at headquarters, but also in the partner countries where Belgium is active. An additional coordinated approach should ensure that the partner organisations reinforce one another on the field. We therefore contribute together to make sure that the Belgian development cooperation leads to better results and above all that our partners can show thorough improvement by the end of the Sustainable Development Agenda in 2030.