3/12/2013-Slovenia has become the 29^th member of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), the leading international forum for providers of development co-operation.

 

Slovenia’s accession comes as the country has worked to keep up its official development assistance (ODA) levels despite the economic crisis. Its 2012 ODA stood at USD 58 million, or 0.13 percent of its gross national income.

(left/right Bogdan Benko, State Secretary and Acting Minister for Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Aid at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, DAC Chair Erik Solheim)

“Slovenia’s achievements in maintaining its development co-operation programme in difficult economic times is a testament to political leadership” said DAC Chair Erik Solheim. “Being a Committee member will help Slovenia further improve its development assistance. Slovenia’s own experience with economic transition adds value to the DAC. Its success is an inspiration to others.” Around two-thirds of Slovenia’s ODA is multilateral assistance, which is mainly channelled through the European Union. Its bilateral ODA is concentrated in the Western Balkans, Moldova and Cape Verde, where it funds social and economic services, infrastructure and efforts to fight climate change. Slovenia’s development projects emphasise good governance, environmental protection and the empowerment of women.

"Slovenia will contribute constructively within its capacities to the efforts of the international community to guarantee a better future for developing countries" said Bogdan Benko, State Secretary and Acting Minister for Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Aid at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia.

 

Slovenia is the fifth OECD member to join the DAC this year after Iceland, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic and Poland.

 

Further information on Slovenia’s accession and you can read more about the DAC.

Media enquiries should be directed to Michael Laird, Senior Policy Analyst in the Review, Evaluation and Engagement Division within the OECD’s Development Co-operation Directorate (Michael.Laird@oecd.org, +33 1 45 24 90 33) or the OECD Media Division (news.contact@oecd.org, +33 1 45 24 97 00.)