- Policy
- Mexico’s support to sustainable development
- Contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals
- Cross-border resources to TOSSD recipients (Pillar 1)
- Sectoral distribution
- Regional and global expenditures in support of sustainable development (Pillar 2)
- Triangular co-operation
- Institutional set-up
- Adherence to the Effectiveness Principles
- Other profiles
- Additional resources
Development Co‑operation Profiles: Mexico
Table of contents
International development co-operation is a key component of Mexico’s foreign policy, which aims to address global challenges and advance shared and equal prosperity in line with the 2030 Agenda. Mexico’s development co-operation is guided by its dual role as a provider and a beneficiary of development co-operation, with transparency, results-orientation and effectiveness its core principles. Its approach is centred around mutual-benefit and demand-based South-South and triangular co-operation. Its co-operation is focused on Central and Latin America as well as the Caribbean, and is expanding towards Asia-Pacific and Africa.
This profile presents verified data on Mexico’s development assistance allocation. See the Development Co-operation Profiles.
Mexico’s development co-operation is guided by the 2011 Law on International Co-operation for Development (LCID in Spanish), which outlines as an overarching priority the promotion of sustainable human development. The country’s development co-operation approach is aligned with its 2025-2030 External Relations Programme, which sets an objective of strengthening Mexico’s global presence and the advancement of solidarity-based co-operation. The new Programme of International Cooperation for Development (PROCID) for 2025-2030 will guide Mexico’s technical co-operation and sets four core objectives: 1) strengthen human development with an intersectional and multidimensional focus; 2) strengthen co-operation with Central America, the Caribbean and the Global South; 3) strengthen Mexico’s participation in international organisations and fora; and 4) maximise the effectiveness, sustainability, transparency and accountability of international co-operation. Mexico’s co-operation is also aligned with the cross-cutting priorities of the 2025-2030 National Development Plan: gender equality; innovation; and respect for and protection of the rights of indigenous communities. As part of its strategy, Mexico seeks to strengthen the effective management of its development co-operation through multi‑stakeholder partnerships, including with the private sector, civil society, academia, local governments and international organisations, reactivating in 2025 three “Technical Councils” to foster collaboration with Civil Society Organisations; the Private Sector; and Philanthropy and Children and Young People.
Mexico actively engages in various multilateral organisations and initiatives at the global level including the Future of Development Cooperation Coalition; the United Nations; the G20 (Development Working Group); and the partnership of Mexico, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Türkiye and Australia (MIKTA); and leads the Group of Friends of Monterrey, among many others. At the regional level, Mexico’s engagement focuses on the Ibero-American General Secretariat, the Organisation of American States, and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. Mexico also holds the permanent presidency of the Mesoamerica Integration and Development Project.
The Mexican Agency for International Development Co-operation (AMEXCID) implements Mexico’s “Sowing Life” programme across Mexico’s partner countries in Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
The programme seeks to address the integrated and multidimensional challenges of rural poverty and environmental degradation through three main components: 1) economic support; 2) specialised support for agricultural production with plants, supplies and tools; and 3) technical support. Through its holistic vision, the programme aims to restore the countryside, reactivate the local economy and regenerate the social fabric within communities.
Between 2020 and 2022, Sowing Life was implemented in El Salvador and Honduras, benefiting 10 000 beneficiaries in each country. From 2023 to 2025, it was implemented in Cuba, supporting 5 000 farmers; Belize, supporting 2 000 farmers; and Guatemala, supporting 14 000 farmers. Across all participating countries, Mexico’s support combined in-kind support and technical assistance. The programme’s results have included an increase in crop production, improved social well-being, job creation and food sovereignty and a reduction in the intention to migrate. The implementation of the second phase of the programme began in 2026 following agreements signed with Belize, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras in 2025.
Sources: AMEXCID (2025), Annual Report 2025, Mexican Agency for International Development Co‑operation, https://infoamexcid.sre.gob.mx/consejo/media/documents/2p1uk_151225.pdf; UNDP (2022) Our Voices from Below: Results Diagnosis of the Sembrando Vida (Sowing Life) and Jóvenes Construyendo el Futuro (Young People Building the Future): Projects in Their Beneficiaries in El Salvador and Honduras, United Nations Development Programme, https://www.undp.org/es/mexico/publicaciones/nuestras-voces-desde-abajo-diagnostico-sobre-los-resultados-de-sembrando-vida-y-jovenes-construyendo-el-futuro-en-el-salvador-y; UNDP (2024), Our Voices from Below: Results Diagnosis of Sembrando Vida in Belize, Cuba and Guatemala, United Nations Development Programme, https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2025-03/our_voices_from_below-results_diagnosis_of_sembrando_vida_in_belize_cuba_and_guatemala.pdf.
Mexico accounts for its development co-operation through a self-developed methodology,1 reflecting the specific characteristics of South-South and triangular co-operation. More recently, the accounting also incorporates peace-keeping missions. Using this methodology of valuing South-South co-operation, and according to Mexico’s records, preliminary figures for Mexico’s development co-operation totalled USD 208.7 million in 2023. AMEXCID is currently undertaking a methodological assessment of Mexico’s data collection and production systems, with the aim of strengthening alignment with international metrics in a more systematic manner and a view to enhancing transparency on its development co-operation.
As a provider of South-South co-operation, Mexico started reporting on Total Official Support for Sustainable Development (TOSSD) for the first time in 2022. In 2023, Mexico reported USD 144.6 million in support of sustainable development, of which USD 54.8 million was cross-border resources to TOSSD recipients and USD 89.8 million supported regional and global expenditures for sustainable development. Sixteen entities participated in Mexico’s TOSSD reporting on 2023 activities.
In 2023, Mexico’s support for sustainable development mainly contributed to advancing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 (quality education), SDG 17 (partnerships for the Goals) and SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions).
In 2023, USD 51 million (93%) of Mexico’s cross-border resources to TOSSD recipients were allocated to individual countries and regions. In total, Mexico’s cross-border flows reached 62 countries in 2023. Most of this financing was provided to recipients in the Americas (94%), in line with Mexico’s programmatic objectives to prioritise development activities in Central America, the Caribbean and the rest of Latin America. Partners receiving the largest support included Colombia and Cuba. Around 0.3% (USD 0.5 million) was unallocated by region.
In 2023, USD 51 million (93%) of Mexico’s cross-border resources targeted social infrastructure and services in TOSSD recipients. A vast majority of this financing was allocated to the education sector (USD 48.4 million), representing 88.2% of Mexico’s cross-border flows to TOSSD recipients. Humanitarian assistance amounted to USD 982 000 (1.8%).
In 2023, Mexico extended USD 89.8 million in support of international public goods, development enablers and global challenges, accounting for 62.1% of its TOSSD. Core contributions to the general budget of multilateral institutions accounted for 98% of Mexico’s Pillar 2 contributions.
According to AMEXCID’s records, Mexico engaged in 20 triangular co-operation projects in 2025; the main areas of intervention were agriculture and livestock, the environment, and the strengthening of public institutions and policies. Mexico’s main partners in 2025 were Chile, the Food and Agriculture Organization, Germany, Japan, Korea, Portugal, Spain, Türkiye, and Uruguay.
Mexico’s international co-operation for development also expanded its presence in Africa, with co‑operation actions in Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mexico, Sao Tomé and Principe, and South Africa.
Mexico is a member of the Global Partnership Initiative on Effective Triangular Co-operation. In this context, Mexico – together with Ireland, Korea and Zambia – is advancing the establishment of a “Group of Friends on the Effectiveness of International Development Cooperation” within the United Nations. In 2023, AMEXCID produced a Spotlight paper regarding Mexico’s approach to triangular co-operation projects.
Learn more about triangular co-operation.
The 2011 Law on International Co-operation for Development provides the legal and institutional framework for Mexico’s international development co-operation. Resources for development co-operation are allocated through the annual budget agreed by Congress. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has overall responsibility for Mexico’s development co-operation agenda. AMEXCID was established by the 2011 law as an autonomous entity within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is responsible for developing the necessary tools and mechanisms to programme, co-ordinate, implement, monitor, report on and evaluate Mexico’s development co-operation projects and activities. AMEXCID is headed by an Executive Director and has a multi-stakeholder Consultative Council that is responsible for developing the Program of International Cooperation for Development. AMEXCID also co-ordinates the National Registry of International Development Co-operation (RENCID) to quantify Mexico’s international development co‑operation and discloses these data to the public through the annual Mexican International Development Cooperation Quantification Report. AMEXCID also produces a catalogue of Mexico’s development co‑operation best practices, to be updated in 2026.
In 2025, AMEXCID streamlined organisational units into focused thematic priorities and geographic regions, strengthening the alignment with Mexico’s representations abroad and creating a new specialised unit on strategic foresight aimed at projecting Mexico’s international development co-operation toward 2040. The new organisational structure also created a unit to foster decentralised co-operation with local entities; a specialised unit to engage with other actors such as civil society organisations and the private sector; and a division focused on promoting science and technology co-operation for development.
In 2024, and according to its own records, AMEXCID co-ordinated the implementation of 521 international development co-operation projects. In 298 projects, Mexico, on the recipient side of the co-operation equation, partnered with Development Assistance Committee (DAC) members and international organisations. Of the remaining 223 projects, 204 were South-South and 19 were triangular co-operation projects. In addition to these efforts, AMEXCID extended 181 scholarships for foreigners and has co‑ordinated 9 scientific research projects.
The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development placed a renewed emphasis on strengthening the effectiveness of all forms of development co-operation by upholding and elevating the Effectiveness Principles. Adherence to these principles is measured through the partner country-led monitoring exercise of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation. Mexico participated in the 2023-2026 monitoring round through its reporting to one partner country, Guatemala. Its results can be found here.
Access the full list of providers of development co-operation at: Development Co-operation Profiles.
Mexican Congress (2011), Law on International Co-operation for Development, http://www.gobernacion.gob.mx/work/models/SEGOB/legislacionMigratoria/pdf/16%20LEY%20DE%20COOPERACION%20INTERNACIONAL%20PARA%20EL%20DESARROLLO.pdf.
Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID): https://www.gob.mx/amexcid.
AMEXCID (2025), Annual Report 2025, Mexican Agency for International Development Co‑operation, https://infoamexcid.sre.gob.mx/consejo/media/documents/2p1uk_151225.pdf (in Spanish).
Mexican Secretary of Governance (2025), External Relations Programme 2025-2030, https://sidof.segob.gob.mx/notas/5767163 (in Spanish).
Mexican Government (2025), National Development Plan 2025-2030, https://www.gob.mx/presidencia/documentos/plan-nacional-de-desarrollo-2025-2030-391771.
UNDP (2022), Our Voices from Below: Results Diagnosis of the Sembrando Vida (Sowing Life) and Jóvenes Construyendo el Futuro (Young People Building the Future): Projects in Their Beneficiaries in El Salvador and Honduras, United Nations Development Programme, https://www.undp.org/es/mexico/publicaciones/nuestras-voces-desde-abajo-diagnostico-sobre-los-resultados-de-sembrando-vida-y-jovenes-construyendo-el-futuro-en-el-salvador-y.
UNDP (2024), Our Voices from Below: Results Diagnosis of Sembrando Vida in Belize, Cuba and Guatemala, United Nations Development Programme, https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2025-03/our_voices_from_below-results_diagnosis_of_sembrando_vida_in_belize_cuba_and_guatemala.pdf.
GPI (2023), Implementing BAPA+40 through Triangular Co-operation – Case Story: Mexico, Global Partnership Initiative on Effective Triangular Co-operation, https://triangular-cooperation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GPI-Spotlight-Mexico-final.pdf.
Mexico has been a member of the OECD since 1994. Mexico is not a member of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC).
Mexico has been an observer to the TOSSD Task Force since 2021 and became a member of the International Forum on TOSSD in 2024. Mexico has been reporting to TOSSD since 2022. It started reporting on 2020 activities on a pilot basis and reports annually to TOSSD as of 2021 activities.
Mexico is an Adherent to the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, the Declaration on Integrating Climate Change Adaptation into Development Co-operation, the OECD Recommendation of the Council on Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas, the OECD Recommendation of the Council on Environmental Assessment of Development Assistance Projects and Programmes, the OECD Recommendation of the Council for Development Co‑operation Actors on Managing the Risk of Corruption, and the OECD Recommendation of the Council on Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development. Learn more about OECD legal instruments and DAC Recommendations.
Mexico participated in the first Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) Regional Programme Dialogue on Development Co-operation in 2024 and in the 2025 LAC-DAC Co-Lab series on Reducing Poverty and Inequalities (co-chaired by Mexico and the European Union) and Multidimensionality Metrics for Development.
Mexico participated in the DAC High Level Meeting in 2025.
Mexico hosted the first High-level Meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co‑operation and has been a co-chair and a member of its Steering Committee. It is also a founding member of the core group of the Global Partnership Initiative on Effective Triangular Co‑operation.
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← 1. The Mexican methodology for the quantification of international development co-operation includes disbursements on technical and scientific co-operation; scholarships for foreign students from developing countries; co-operation channelled through multilateral institutions focused on promoting development; reimbursable financial co-operation (only the grant element of loans); other non-reimbursable financial co‑operation; and humanitarian aid. It also includes the value of the technical co-operation based on the exchange of public servants who share their experience on the implementation of public policies, institutional or technical management models, or technology developed and/or improved in Mexico.