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Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Defence, Simon Coveney, T.D., and Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy, T.D, will launch the 2019 Annual Report on Ireland’s Official Development Assistance today, 10 November 2020. 

Speaking ahead of the launch of the report, which can be found here, Minister Coveney said:

The events of this past year have brought into sharp focus the importance of collective action to address global challenges. This annual report on Ireland’s development cooperation programme shows what we, as a small country, can achieve in partnership with others. All Irish citizens can be immensely proud of this work and the difference it makes to the lives of millions of people around the world.

The Minister continued:

2019 was an important year for Ireland’s foreign policy. I launched A Better World, Ireland’s policy for international development, as well as our new Africa Strategy and a Strategy for Partnership with Small Island Developing States. Taken together, these strategies build on Ireland’s track record of delivering for those who are furthest behind and the most vulnerable and provide a framework for addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges in the years ahead.

The 2019 annual report has a particular focus on Ireland’s work on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Colm Brophy, T.D., said:

Gender equality is a fundamental human right. It is an essential driver of sustainable development. However, there are those who are pushing back against gender equality. We in Ireland have over our lifetimes travelled a journey on gender equality. Our story resonates with others. Our journey has helped make Irish Aid a global champion on gender equality and development, with the proportion of Irish Aid targeting gender equality consistently among the highest in the OECD. That is why I thought it important that this year’s Irish Aid Annual Report focused on the important contributions Irish Aid is making to enable gender equality, including through our partnerships at the United Nations, with civil society and with countries in development.