Policy Updates

On April 30, 2024, it was announced that, as a part of the G7 Finance Track, the Italian MEF and ISTAT will host the seventh edition of the OECD World Forum on Wellbeing, entitled Strengthening Wellbeing Approaches for a Changing World, in Rome from November 4-6, 2024.

The event is part of the G7 Finance Track promoted by the Italian government. The Forum will be structured into five round tables that will discuss topics, including:

• The development of policy frameworks oriented towards equitable and sustainable well-being;
• The measurement and statistical methodology, as well as the analysis of well-being indicators;
• Climate change;
• Technological innovation and the use of artificial intelligence; and
• The next steps in the well-being agenda.

Other topics to be addressed include gender inequalities, inequalities and poverty, physical and mental health, and the aging population.

On April 29, 2024, Norway was granted a board seat on the board of the Loss and Damage Fund.

The agreement to operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund, which will assist LICs particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, was passed during COP28 in 2023.

The board of the fund has now been decided and consists of 26 members. HICs countries have 12 members on the board, while LICs have 14. Apart from Norway, EU countries, the US, Japan, and the UK each have a full seat on the board.

The first board meeting is slated to take place between April 30 - May 2, 2024, in Abu Dhabi. In total, nearly US$700 million was pledged to start the fund during COP28. Norway has since pledged NOK270 million (US$25 million) to the fund.

Norwegian Minister of International Development Anne Beathe Tvinnereim noted that climate disasters are expected to increase in the years to come and will continue to affect vulnerable LICs. She noted that Norway welcomes a financing solution, like the Loss and Damage Fund, in which can ensure the needed support for these countries. Tvinnereim underlined that Norway will do its best to make sure the fund is as targeted and efficient as possible.

On April 26, 2024, German Development Minister Svenja Schulze announced that Germany is planning to launch an international initiative, known as SkillsAlliance for Ukraine, to address the labor shortage in Ukraine, provide training in key sectors for reconstruction, and mobilize international support.

Schulze announced the initiative during a German-Ukrainian conference in Berlin, aiming to launch at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in June 2024.

The initiative is in response to the labor shortage caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in Febrary 2022, with a focus on providing training and education in various sectors crucial for reconstruction, such as healthcare, construction, IT, agriculture, and renewable energy, targeting youth, internally displaced persons, and women to enhance their participation in the country's rebuilding efforts.

The initiative builds on existing vocational training programs supported by the German government, and aims to mobilize international partners including UNICEF, EBRD, and the EU Commission to address Ukraine's reconstruction needs and activate further support ahead of the conference.

On April 25, 2024, the PMI released its 18^th report on work with PMI partners to address malaria deaths, which have been cut almost in half since the PMI's inception in 2006.

USAID works with other stakeholders in 30 countries, most of which are in Africa, the WHO, other donors, community health workers, civil society, faith based organizations, and partner governments to prevent and treat almost 90% of all malaria cases. PMI is guided by PMI's Strategy 2023-2026, providing a range of preventions, including bed nets, insecticide for homes, pregnancy prevention treatments, testing, and malaria medicines.

The report noted that although great progress had been made, resistence to malaria medicines, the need to invest in community health systems and workers, and conflicts around the globe present a continuing threat to progress.

On April 25, 2024, German Development Minister Svenja Schulze and the development ministers of Brazil, South Africa, and Spain called for taxing billionaire wealth during the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, addressing key issues like decarbonization and fiscal constraints.

During the Spring Meetings, discussions centered on pressing issues including advancing decarbonization efforts, combating climate change, and addressing fiscal constraints for heavily indebted countries to invest in poverty alleviation, social services, and global public goods.

On April 25, 2024, World Malaria Day, Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Penny Wong announced the new range of assistance to support communities and governments in the Southeast Asia-Pacific region to reduce malaria.

A new partnership with PATH is slated to receive AUD8 million (US$5 million). Australia’s Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and the Burnett Institute will work with PATH to develop new diagnostics for malaria.

In addition, Australia will provide AUD17 million (US$11 million) to continue its partnership with the Medicines for Malaria Venture. The funds will go to the development of new treatments and medicines for malaria suitable for children and for use in pregnancy.

Funding will also be provided to James Cook University in tropical North Queensland to assist Pacific countries to strengthen their control and surveillance of mosquito borne diseases including Zika, dengue and malaria.

On April 24, 2024, German Development Minister Svenja Schulze, speaking at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue, urged immediate global efforts in climate action, emphasizing the need for increased investment in mitigation measures and innovative financing mechanisms.

Schulze called for urgent climate action amid record heatwaves, storms, and rainfall, citing the urgent need to invest significantly more in climate mitigation. She highlighted successful initiatives such as World Bank reforms enabling an additional US$70 billion investment in climate action, and collaborations with non-traditional donors like the UAE in establishing the UN Loss and Damage Fund, emphasizing the necessity for innovative financing mechanisms to bridge the gap in climate investment. Schulze also endorsed the Brazilian G20 presidency's initiative to fairly tax billionaires worldwide to address the climate crisis.

On April 24, 2024, the Norwegian government announced a new pledge of NOK430 million (US$39 million) in core funding to the WFP.

The Norwegian government noted that the WFP will be able to use the Norwegian support where it is needed the most.

According to Norwegian Minister of International Development Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, the WFP is one of the most important tools in the fight against hunger. By funding the WFP, Norway will be able to help reduce acute hunger and contribute to increased local food production.

On April 24, 2024, the UNDP announced that the Netherlands contributed EUR36 million (US$39 million) in core funding to the UNDP for 2024.

The flexible funding supports implementing the UNDP’s strategic plan for 2022-2025 to tackle multidimensional poverty, promote good governance, foster the rule of law, and champion gender equality globally.

The UNDP also highlighted positive results coming from its partnership with the Netherlands. With Dutch support, the UNDP is strengthening Ukraine’s capacity and use of advanced technology to manage mine action operations.

On April 24, 2024, German Development Minister Svenja Schulze launched an initiative backed by an initial $US26.6 million investment from the BMZ to increase employment and stability in the Palestinian territories.

Schulze announced the initiative following discussions with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa in Ramallah. The initiative came in response to the economic crash following the October 7 attack by Hamas in Israel and subsequent protracted conflict in Gaza. The unemployment rate in the West Bank has nearly tripled since the initial attack, reaching 40%. In response, the initiative's goal is to create around 25,000 new jobs and sustain existing ones in the West Bank and East Jerusalem through 2027, with an initial investment of EUR25 million (US$27 million) from the BMZ and more funding expected in the following years.

Schulze emphasized the urgent need for job creation and stability, particularly in light of the recent conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The initiative aims to address economic and social challenges faced by Palestinians, including restrictions on movement and access to work imposed by the Israeli government. It also seeks to support Palestinian businesses, especially those led by women and young adults, through measures such as cash-for-work programs and assistance for SMEs.

Schulze's visit to Israel included meetings with organizations providing psychosocial support to survivors of the October terrorist attack, highlighting broader humanitarian concerns in the region.