Humanitarian assistance and international development cooperation

International development cooperation is an essential part of Hungary’s foreign policy. Its main goal – in accordance with the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – is to contribute to the global efforts in eradicating poverty, and in helping partner countries with the establishment of democratic governance based on human rights. Through its contribution to reduce differences in the level of development worldwide, Hungary takes part in the global work to reinforce security and accelerate economic development. Hungary as rotating President of the Council of the European Union, actively advocates for raising the profile of water in the orientation of future EU development policy.

As a member of the European Union, Hungary is striving to allocate a growing share of its Gross National Income to development cooperation. The primary focus of our bilateral development programs is placed on sectors and areas where the country disposes of comparative advantages, including transitional experiences in political-economic change; education; health; agriculture; water resources management; environmental protection and cultural heritage. Hungary’s bilateral aid portfolio has consisted of more than 500 projects during the last 5 years.

We are working closely with a large number of international organizations (UN, OECD, World Bank, etc.) seeking to reduce global poverty. Hungary’s multilateral aid accounts for 75% of its total ODA volume, and is mainly transferred to the most disadvantaged countries in Africa, Asia and Latin-America. We have been strengthening our participation in the field of development cooperation through providing aid to the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries where undoubtedly the most urgent common aim is to fulfill the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals.

We are contributing to the debt relief of the most indebted developing countries through the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI), and we support the International Development Association (IDA) replenishments of the World Bank (with a contribution of more than 10 million USD in 2009-2010) with its programmes aimed at the promotion of economic growth and increasing the living standards of people in developing countries. We also make considerable efforts to support the Least Developed Countries’ trade capacities by giving financial support to the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) multi-donor programme managed by UNOPS. Furthermore, as a member of the European Union we contribute over 160 million USD for the period of 2008-2013 to the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) which provides aid in ACP countries. Hungary also supports the world’s poorest countries through various financial instruments such as concessional lending.

As part of developed countries’ collective commitment to jointly mobilize resources for fast start climate financing approaching USD 30 billion for the period 2010-2012, Hungary contributes 8,5 million USD as part of the EU pledge amounting to 10 billion USD through 2010-2012. With donating the 2010 share of 1,4 million USD to the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) managed by the Global Environmental Facility, Hungary became one of the first donors in Central Europe to support adaptation needs of countries especially vulnerable to the adverse impacts of changing climate conditions.

Connection between Development and Water – a Priority

Conservation and sustainable exploitation of water resources and guaranteeing access to clean water and sanitation services are one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century, especially in the light of climate change and population explosion. Water management has a considerable influence on peace and stability on national, regional and international level. Hungary – also in its capacity of the President of the Council of the European Union during the first semester of 2011 – has therefore set the aim to summarize the different aspects of the role of water in international development and to recommend the necessary actions for the EU's future development policy.

We can consider as a success the support expressed for the Hungarian initiative to consider sustainable water management as a horizontal element of the European Union's development policy in the future.