27/04/2006 - The OECD’s Development Assistance Committee welcomed Portugal’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goals and support for very poor countries, as outlined in the government’s recent “Strategic Vision for Portuguese Co-operation”. The Committee noted, however, that Portugal’s Official Development Assistance in 2005 was USD 367 million, or 0.21% of Gross National Income, and that raising this to 0.51% by 2010 and 0.7% by 2015 as agreed by the European Union, will demand great efforts.

The Committee’s review of Portugal’s aid policies and programmes recommended drawing up an action plan, including a time-frame to reach the above targets, to implement the new strategic vision. It also recommended putting greater emphasis on poverty reduction in priority sectors and adapting the Portuguese development co-operation system to support the achievement of the MDGs. Portugal’s experience in fragile states should be explored for the purpose of mutual learning within the international community.

The OECD’s Development Assistance Committee, which groups major aid donors, issued the Main Findings and Recommendations on Portugal’s aid policies and programmes. The Peer Review, led by Ireland and Spain, took place on 19 April 2006. The Portuguese delegation attending the review meeting was headed by Mr. João Cravinho, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For further information, journalists are invited to contact Elisabeth Thioléron in the OECD Review and Evaluation Division, at 33 1 45 24 95 17.