A Parliamentary Resolution
on a Strategy for Iceland‘s International Development Cooperation 2011–2014
Althingi resolves, acc. to Act No. 121/2008 on Iceland’s International Development
Cooperation, that in the years 2011-2014 Iceland‘s development cooperation should be implemented
in accordance with the following Strategy.
The overarching objective of Iceland’s international development cooperation is to contribute
to the fight against poverty and to work towards improved living conditions in least developed
countries. By participating actively in development cooperation Iceland acknowledges its political and
ethical responsibilities as a responsible member of the international community. International
development cooperation is an integral part of Iceland’s foreign policy.
The fight against poverty, social injustice, disparity in living conditions and hunger is a priority of
all development cooperation and shall continue to be the core of Iceland‘s strategy in this field. At the
same time strong emphasis should be put on promotion of human rights, gender equality, rights of the
child, peace and security. Attempts shall be made to ensure internal coherence in Iceland’s foreign
policy with regards to global economic, environmental and security matters.
Iceland’s development cooperation shall reflect values that Icelandic society holds high: respect for
democracy and human rights, human diversity, tolerance, justice and solidarity. Accordingly, Iceland’s
development cooperation should encompass the following:
a.
Responsibility – to be guided by accountability and transparency in development activities and
responsibility for execution and results to be shared with our partners.
b.
Results – all aspects of implementing development cooperation – administration, procedures and
methodology – should contribute to peak efficiency of development cooperation.
c.
Reliability – Iceland will earn international respect through professionalism and integrity as a partner
in development cooperation.
Iceland’s objective in its development cooperation shall be to support poverty eradication strategies
of partner countries and emphasise sustainable development and the development of human capital.
Special emphasis shall be placed on human rights, gender equality, peace, security and activities that
can draw on Icelandic expertise and experience.
Official Development Assistance (ODA)
Iceland should be committed to the UN target, to which the developed countries have pledged to
allocate 0.7% of their gross national income (GNI) to official development assistance. A schedule
should be introduced to bring Iceland into the ranks of those states that contribute more than 0.7% of
their GNI to ODA within the next eight years. The following points of emphasis shall be enforced:
a. A time-bound schedule should be followed to increase ODA from 0.21% to 0.28% of GNI in
2011-2014, see the following table.
b. The increases in ODA should be accelerated when this Strategy is reviewed in 2013.
c. Should economic growth prove stronger than projected, budget appropriations to ODA
shall be reviewed, but at the same time ensured that ODA shall never be lower than the
exact value of ODA in 2011.
d. By 2017 0.5% of GNI should be allocated to ODA, and in 2019 0.7% is to be allocated to
ODA.
e. Separate items for cooperation with NGOs, the UNU Land Restoration Training
Programme, the World Bank and for environmental and climate related issues are to be
included in the State budget as of 2012.
Iceland‘s ODA is estimated as follows:
GNI*
Proportion of
(ISK millions)
GNI (%)
ODA
(ISK
millions)
2010
1,367,001
0.23
3.238
2011
1,342,565
0.21
2.765
2012
1,468,071
2013
1,538,568
0.25
3.846
2014
1,657,441
0.28
4.640
0.21
3.083
*Reference: Statistics Iceland
The plan for the division of ODA by State Budget items is to be as follows:
2011
2012
(%)
42
58
(ISK
millions)
1.234
1.670
187,7
7
199
6
FAO
11,0
0
11
0
UNDP
22,1
1
23
1
UNICEF
112,4
4
122
4
UNU Fisheries Training Programme
147,3
5
158
5
UN Women
102,0
4
117
4
Humanitarian and Emergency Assistance
221,4
8
173
6
The Icelandic Crisis Response Unit
115,8
4
144
5
ICEIDA
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Of which:
UNU Geothermal Training Programme
(ISK
millions)
1.166,3
1.599,0
(%)
2013
40
54
(ISK
millions)
1.539
2.038
2014
(%)
40
53
(ISK
millions)
1.856
2.413
(%)
40
52
353,3
13
169
5
20,0
1
-
-
The World Bank
-
-
135
4
UNU Land Restoration Training Programme
-
-
68
2
Environmental and Climate Affairs
-
-
60
2
56,0
2
56
2
250,0
9
230
8
2.765,3
0,21%
100
179
3.083
0,21%
6
100
Development Aid, other
Debt Relief for Developing Countries
UN (general contr., int. peace-keeping, ILO, WHO)
Capital contributions (IDA, NDF)
Collaboration with NGOs
TOTAL
Ratio of GNI
269
3.846
0,25%
7
100
371
4.640
0,28%
Implementation
In Iceland‘s development cooperation, emphasis should be put on sharpening the focus and clearer
prioritisation on the basis of sustainable development. The following points of emphasis shall be
enforced:
I. Emphasis, Priority Sectors and Cross-Cutting Themes
1. Fisheries:
a. Iceland should participate actively in the policymaking of international organisations in the field of
fisheries.
b. Emphasis should be put on working with FAO and the World Bank.
c. ICEIDA should focus on fisheries in Mozambique and Uganda.
d. A Working Group on Fisheries should be established by MFA and ICEIDA.
e. Active work should be carried out under the auspices of the UNU Fisheries Training Programme in
Iceland. The Programme should become an integral part of Iceland’s comprehensive strategy in this
policy area.
2.
Energy:
a. Iceland should participate actively in policymaking of international organisations on energy.
b. Increased investment by states and development agencies in geothermal energy is to be
promoted for the benefit of developing countries.
c. Emphasis should be put on the undertakings of the UN, World Bank, Nordic Development Fund and
IRENA.
d. ICEIDA should work on energy matters in bilateral and regional cooperation.
e. Active work should be carried out under the auspices of the UNU Geothermal Training Programme
in Iceland. The Programme should become an integral part of Iceland’s comprehensive strategy in this
policy area.
3. Education:
8
100
a. Special emphasis should be put on education and adult education in ICEIDA’s partner countries.
b. Cooperation should be established with NGOs in the field of education.
c. Activities of the UNU training programmes in the fields of fisheries, energy and land
restoration should be a part of emphases in the field of education.
d. Support should be given to UN Women and UNICEF as key organisations promoting increased
education of girls and women.
4. Health:
a. ICEIDA should focus on health and sanitation in Malawi and Uganda, especially maternal
and infant health.
b. Cooperation should be established with NGOs in the field of health.
c. Cooperation should be established with UN Women in order to improve health of girls and women.
d. Part should be taken in Nordic cooperation on the importance of sexual and reproductive health and
rights.
e. Support should be given to UNICEF with emphasis on children’s health.
5. Governance:
a. Support should be given to UN Women’s programmes on the Balkan Peninsula, in Afghanistan and
Palestine.
b. Iceland´s National Action Plan on women, peace and security should be implemented.
c. Experts from conflict-affected countries should be enrolled in the Gender Equality Studies and
Training Programme (GEST).
d. Support should be given to humanitarian work of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
6. Reconstruction:
a. Contribution should be made to the co-ordination of post conflict reconstruction in Afghanistan.
b. Support should be given to Palestinian refugees through contributions to the UN
(UNRWA/UNHCR).
c. Support should be given to the co-ordination of humanitarian aid in Palestine, in partnership with
OCHA.
d. Support should be given to the projects of UN Women and UNICEF.
7. Gender Equality:
a. A working Group on gender equality should be established by MFA and ICEIDA.
b. A gender equality policy in development cooperation, based on revision of ICEIDA’s policy should
be prepared. Completed: January 2012.
c. The National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security should be reviewed. Completed: March
2011.
d. Support should be given to the pilot project on the Gender Equality Studies and Training
Programme (GEST).
e. External reviews of development projects should especially assess gender mainstreaming.
f. Gender equality should be achieved among development cooperation personnel.
g. Systematic work should be done on gender equality issues and implementation of UN Security
Council resolutions on women, peace and security at international organisation level.
8. Environment:
a. An environmental policy in development cooperation should be prepared. Completed: April
2012.
b. Environmental sustainability should be specifically addressed in preparation and
implementation of development projects.
c. Iceland should participate actively in the work of international organisations in the field of
renewable energy sources.
d. Active work should be done under the auspices of the UNU Geothermal and Land Restoration
Training Programmes.
e. A contribution should be made to an international fund under the UNFCCC.
f. Support should be given to efforts of small island developing states to adapt to and mitigate the
effects of climate change.
II. Emergency and Humanitarian Aid
1. Policy-Making and support to NGOs:
a. A separate item for cooperation with NGOs should be introduced in the State Budget as of 2012.
b. Current operational procedures for applications and grants should be enforced.
c. Operational procedures should be reviewed. Completed: August 2012.
d. Iceland should become a party to the Good Humanitarian Donorship Group within two years.
e. Work should be organised in accordance with the procedures and criteria of the Group as of 2012.
2. Support to OCHA:
a. Regular contributions should be made to OCHA. Special contributions should be made in the event
of unanticipated need.
b. Short-term experts seconded by the MFA to OCHA in the field.
c. Iceland should take an active part in policymaking of the Nordic countries concerning UN
emergency aid.
3. Support to CERF:
a. Regular contributions should be made to CERF.
b. Iceland should take an active part in policymaking of the Nordic countries concerning UN
emergency aid.
4. Support to WFP:
a. Contributions should be made to WFP emergency response where the need arises.
b. Short-term experts seconded by the MFA to WFP in the field.
c. Iceland should take an active part in policymaking of the Nordic countries concerning WFP.
III. Countries and Regions
1. Afghanistan:
a. A Plan of Action 2012-2014 should be prepared. Completed: November 2011.
b. Iceland should participate in Nordic cooperation based, inter alia, on a joint Nordic review from
2009.
c. Better co-ordination of international assistance should be promoted.
d. Work on gender equality and women’s empowerment should be developed.
e. Emergency and humanitarian aid should be provided by international organisations and NGOs.
2. Malawi:
a. A Country Strategy Plan 2012-2014 should be prepared. Completed: October 2011.
b. Human capital: Focus should be put on education, health and sanitation.
3. Mozambique:
a. A Country Strategy Plan 2012-2014 should be prepared. Completed: October 2011.
b. Natural resources and human capital: Focus should be put on fisheries and health.
4. Palestine:
a. A Plan of Action 2012-2014 should be prepared. Completed: November 2011.
b. Emergency and humanitarian aid should be provided by international organisations and
NGOs.
c. Assistance should be given to refugees.
d. Assistance should be given to women and children.
5. Uganda:
a. A Country Strategy Plan 2012-2014 should be prepared. Completed: October 2011.
b. Natural resources and human capital: Focus should be on fisheries, health, education and
regional development.
IV. Organisations
1. World Bank:
a. Iceland should contribute to IDA16 Replenishment, 2011.
b. Gender Action Plan (GAP). Possible continuation of cooperation should be assessed.
Completed: October 2011.
c. Fisheries projects (PROFISH). Possible continuation of cooperation should be assessed.
Completed: June 2011.
d. Energy projects (ESMAP). Possible continuation of cooperation should be assessed.
Completed: October 2012.
e. Iceland should take an active part in policymaking of the Nordic-Baltic Constituency within the
Board.
f. Iceland should participate in the joint project of the Nordic-Baltic Constituency concerning human
rights.
2. UNICEF:
a. Icelandic experts should be seconded to work in the field.
b. Stand-by partner agreement for surge capacity in emergency situations should be enforced.
c. Iceland should participate actively in the policymaking of the Nordic countries concerning
UNICEF.
d. Icelandic JPOs to work for UNICEF in the field.
e. Cooperation with UNICEF National Committee in Iceland.
3. UN Women:
a. Icelandic experts should be seconded to work in the field.
b. Iceland should take an active part in UN policymaking concerning gender equality.
c. Icelandic JPOs to work for UN Women.
d. Support should be given to the UN Trust fund in support to Actions to Eliminate Violence
against Women.
e. Cooperation with UN Women National Committee in Iceland.
f. Iceland should participate in Nordic cooperation on UN Women.
4. UNU:
a. Active operation of the UNU Geothermal Training Programme in Iceland and its training
courses held in developing countries.
b. Active operation of the UNU Fisheries Training Programme in Iceland and its training
courses held in developing countries.
c. Active operation of the UNU Land Restoration Training Programme in Iceland and its
training courses held in developing countries.
d. Support should be given to the pilot project on the Gender Equality Studies and Training
Programme.
e. The future arrangements of UNU’s operations in Iceland should be prepared during the
implementation period of the Strategy.
International Cooperation and Criteria
The UN Millennium Development Goals and international arrangements on development
cooperation to which Iceland is a party, should, as before, be guidelines for Iceland’s development
cooperation. The points of emphasis should be as follows:
1. United Nations:
a. Special emphasis should be put on cooperation with the UN agencies that are involved in
Iceland’s areas of focus.
b. The MFA and its permanent missions should take an active part in UN policymaking
c. Active cooperation with the United Nations Association in Iceland.
2. Cooperation with the OECD:
a. Iceland should become a member of DAC, Development Assistance Committee, during the
implementation period of the Strategy.
b. Reforms should be made in the arrangement of operation and accounting for ODA.
Completed: December 2011.
c. A DAC Special review of Iceland’s development cooperation should take place before the review of
the Development Cooperation Strategy.
3. The Paris Declaration and the Accra Agenda for Action:
a. Scheduled targets should be formulated for Iceland’s development cooperation with reference
to the Paris Declaration and Accra Agenda for Action. Completed: February 2012.
b. Iceland should participate actively in DAC’s work on implementing the Declaration.
Strategic Planning, Internal and External Work
The following points of emphasis should be enforced:
1. Strategic planning and Supervision:
a. Reviewed Strategy should be submitted to the Althingi in 2013.
b. The Minister for Foreign Affairs should report to the Althingi on the implementation of the Strategy
in 2013.
c. Regular reports should be submitted to the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Finance Committee
of the Althingi.
2. Interaction of Bilateral and Multilateral Development Cooperation:
Joint working groups should be established by the MFA and ICEIDA in the following fields to
strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation: i) gender equality; ii) natural resources; iii) aid
effectiveness.
3. Human Resources Management:
a. A joint human resource policy of the MFA and ICEIDA should be established for development
cooperation. Completed: November 2011.
b. Joint seminars and training courses should be held by the MFA and ICEIDA.
c. Staff exchanges with international organisations and development agencies of other
donors should be introduced.
d. Gender balance among employees should be reached pursuant to the development cooperation
gender equality policy.
4. Cooperation with NGOs:
a. The proportion of ODA allocated to cooperation with NGOs should be increased during the period.
b. Joint rules of procedure and a single application process should be followed for all collaboration
between the Government and NGOs.
c. The Government should maintain good relations with the partnership group of NGOs.
d. NGOs should be subjected to reviews and other supervisory measures carried out in development
cooperation.
5. Cooperation with the Academic Community:
Points of emphasis in cooperation between the Government and the academic community in
development affairs should be developed. Completed: May 2012
6. Promotion and Discourse:
a. Annual joint PR Strategy of the MFA and ICEIDA should be enforced.
b. Conferences and seminars should be organised in consultation with NGOs and the academic
community.
7. Private Sector Participation in Development Cooperation:
Analysis should be made of the possibility that Icelandic entities could participate in creating
employment opportunities in developing countries. Completed: June 2012.
_____________
Adopted by the Althingi 10 June 2011.