Portugal’s cooperation policy is focused on partner countries’ priorities

The 4th International on Financing for Development of the United Nations "is not just another international conference". In it, we have at stake "reviving the ambition" of the UN Sustainable Development Goals on the 2030 Agenda, or "accepting a step back", said Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.

Luís Montenegro, who was giving a speech at the conference plenary in Seville, Spain, claimed that Portugal chooses to "eradicate poverty, protect the planet, and guarantee peace and prosperity for all".

For this "an international financial architecture" needs to be set up "that will guarantee that the resources get to where they are needed the most" and "with rules adapted to those who are more vulnerable ".

"Cooperation policy in Portugal is a state policy focused on our partner countries’ priorities", he said, adding that for the Portuguese Government, "the answer lies in multilateralism".

Commitment

In a statement to the press, Luís Montenegro reiterated Portugal’s commitment to relaunching international financing for development although at this time it is difficult to allocate more public monies.

Portugal has increased its assistance over the years but, at the moment, it has to "invest in more fronts", he said, noting that investing in peace and in upholding strong democracies reflects on other countries’ development.

"When we invest in defence, we are investing in people’s freedom", "guaranteeing that democracies survive and develop" and that everyone "can be dignified", he stressed.

The Prime Minister said that Portugal can increase its public development aid allocation "whenever the country’s financial situation allows it", but "it’s not just the number on the cheque that matters", national contributions go beyond financing.

Agility

Portugal is committed to setting up "more agile financing mechanisms suited to current times and challenges with a view to a cooperation development policy that is even more effective". 

Portugal has this commitment not just with the Portuguese-speaking countries, but also other developing states in the European Union framework. "We have been in various geographies, with various peoples, fulfilling a responsibility, a design that is universal and from which we are not excluded", he stated.

Luís Montenegro noted the innovative initiatives that have been an example for other countries, such as converting debt into "green investments", which Portugal has executed with Cape Verde and is currently developing in São Tomé e Príncipe.

He also indicated the role of democracy "and Portuguese influence" by placing development and the fight against poverty in multilateral fora, such as the European Union or the UN, offering as an example the work Portugal had in the co-chairmanship with Burundi of the committee that prepared the conference. 

Agreement

During the process for the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development of the United Nations, an agreement was reached, the "Seville Commitment", underwritten by 192 of the 193 UN countries, which was formally adopted in Seville.

The document is a commitment by the international community on international cooperation and financing and development for the upcoming decade. The UN estimates that there is a deficit of four trillion dollars in public development aid, most from States who do not meet the commitment of contributing with 0.7% of Gross National Income, agreed on under the United Nations.

Luís Montenegro was one of the 60 Heads of State and Government who attended the opening of the conference in Seville.