Letter to the Editor – Official Development Cooperation
Especially in times of crisis, such as the corona pandemic, previous privileges and disadvantages are more visible than ever before. In such situations in particular, international solidarity and humanitarian aid are required.
Official development cooperation (ODA) is an agreed and internationally recognized measure that is used to record public development services. It denies spending by donor countries and makes them comparable with one another. In 1972 the United Nations united the United Nations goal of spending 0.7 percent of gross national income on development cooperation. At the latest at the 2005 World Summit in New York, Liechtenstein will also commit to this goal.
In 2018, Liechtenstein spends 0.37 percent of its gross national income on development cooperation. This puts us in 12th place in the list of donors and, unlike in the past, we are far from the goal we are striving for. Foreign Minister Dominique Hasler justified the fact that the ODA rate fell from 0.75 percent in 2012 to 0.37 percent in 2018 with the “volatility of gross national income”. The measurement of B development cooperation as a percentage of NE takes such volatility into account by definition. Accordingly, the argument that this is responsible for the falling ODA rate does not open up to us.
Our gross national income has risen over the years and leaves room for higher expenditure in order to respect people in precarious life situations. Liechtenstein is still one of the few countries with no national debt, has high reserves and great financial strength. We therefore believe that efforts to be helpful are insufficient. We would like to remind you of the political promise made in 2005.
Free List parliamentary group