Aid to education
On July 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken) released its new Dutch Strategy for Foreign Trade & Development Cooperation, which will be discussed in Parliament on 28 September 2022.
In the run-up to the development of this new strategy, the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Liesje Schreinemacher, opened a public online consultation process, in which GPE participated, to gather input on key themes and opportunities for the new policy paper.
The strategy outlines key priorities for the Dutch government, along with an extra investment in Development Cooperation:
- From 2022 to 2024: EUR300 million.
- From 2025: EUR500 million structurally per year.
In this new policy, development cooperation, as an integral part of foreign policy, aims to combat the root causes of poverty, migration, terrorism and climate change within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Minister of Finance, Netherlands
The Netherlands and GPE
The Netherlands joined GPE in 2002. Since then, contributions to GPE amount to US$770,844,419.
On March 8, 2021, Sigrid Kaag, former Minister for Foreign Trade and Development and current Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, announced a contribution of EUR50 million to GPE during the GPE Raise Your Hand Live!
- "I raise my hand for education. It’s a fundamental human right and an investment in the future for every girl and boy,” said Sigrid Kaag, Netherlands current Finance Minister.
- GPE welcomed the EUR50 million contribution to GPE from the Netherlands announced towards GPE’s 2021-2025 replenishment. “COVID-19 has worsened education prospects, and young girls are disproportionately affected. We need to act urgently. I call on all other partners to pledge because we can make a difference”, said Sigrid Kaag.
This contribution shows the Netherlands’ steadfast support and engagement in response to the global education crisis and the dire impacts of COVID-19. This early pledge towards GPE’s replenishment reflects the Dutch long-standing commitment to global development.