Aid rose by about 4.5 billion Euro from 2009, reaching a total of 53.8 billion Euro, which confirms the EU's position as the largest and most generous donor of official development assistance, providing more than half of global official aid. Although the EU missed its target for 2010, it still made positive progress despite the economic downturn.
Three of the five largest donors worldwide are EU members and four of them have already reached the 0.7% target. Overall, EU aid represents 0.43% of EU Gross National Income. A substantial collective effort is still needed in order to achieve the goal of 0.7% by 2015, to which member states have been committed.
"In 2010, the EU remains by far the leading donor worldwide. However, aid budgets still represent less than 1% of national GNI. They must be increased if we are to meet our ambitious goals for 2015 and remain credible. This is a collective effort and we need all players to contribute their fair share. Aid is a smart investment in the future. Promoting inclusive growth and sustainable development in partner countries is in our mutual interest", said Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs.
The Commission commends the countries that have continued to increase their aid. Three out of the five largest donors worldwide are EU members – France, Germany and the United Kingdom. Sweden, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Denmark have already achieved 0.7% and remain well above this level. Altogether nine Member States were above the minimum targets set for EU member states for 2010: Luxembourg, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Finland, Ireland and Cyprus.
“But efficient aid is not only about money. We must also improve the delivery and quality of the aid we provide. Later this year, I will put proposals on the table regarding the clearer focus of the future of development policy, better cooperation, and a higher impact on the ground”, Mr Andris Piebalgs stressed.