Policy Updates

On July 10, 2026, Spain signed a new Partnership Framework for Sustainable Development with Guatemala, committing EUR267 million (US$304 million) in ODA for 2026–2030.

Spain's State Secretary for International Cooperation, Eva Granados Galiano, signed the Spain-Guatemala Partnership Framework for Sustainable Development 2026–2030 in Madrid alongside Guatemala's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, María Luisa Ramírez Coronado, and the Secretary for Planning and Programming of the Presidency, Carlos Mendoza Alvarado. The signing took place within the framework of the 10^th Spanish-Guatemalan Joint Commission on Cooperation.

The new framework is the main bilateral cooperation planning instrument between the two countries for the 2026–2030 period. Compared with the previous framework, it broadens the strategic focus from combating chronic child malnutrition toward sustainable territorial development, recognizing that malnutrition stems from multidimensional causes requiring comprehensive responses linked to local economic development, decent employment, and access to basic services. The framework also reinforces commitments to women's rights, including through the prevention of violence, access to care systems, decent work, sexual and reproductive rights, and social protection.

Spain plans to channel EUR267 million (US$304 million) in ODA to Guatemala over the 2026–2030 period through instruments including technical, bilateral, triangular, multilateral, and decentralized cooperation, as well as financing mechanisms supporting infrastructure and access to credit for SMEs. The framework was developed through a consultation process with public institutions and civil society organizations in both countries, with particular attention to the participation of Indigenous Peoples.

Six UN organizations in Germany have called on members of the German Bundestag to revise the 2027 federal budget draft, warning that EUR1.05 billion (US$1.2 billion) earmarked for humanitarian assistance, equivalent to 0.19% of the total budget, falls far short of what global crises demand.

Following the Cabinet's adoption of the 2027 federal budget draft, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, IOM, and WFP issued a joint statement urging the Bundestag to revise the draft during the parliamentary process. The organizations argued that the draft budget did not reflect the current global situation or Germany's international responsibilities.

The draft budget proposed further cuts to development cooperation, particularly in areas that BMZ prioritized in its new strategy. The budget line for crisis management, reconstruction, and infrastructure faced a reduction of nearly 39% compared to the previous year, which the organizations warned would significantly weaken basic services, including education, nutrition, and the reconstruction of health and water supplies.

The EUR1.05 billion (US$1.2 billion) allocated for humanitarian assistance in 2027 followed a halving of funding in the 2026 fiscal year, leaving humanitarian funding at a sustained low. The organizations noted that the consequences of cuts by Germany and other donor countries were already visible: withdrawal from crisis regions weakened structures and programs that alleviated acute suffering, contained crises, reduced the root causes of displacement and forced migration, and promoted long-term stability. Despite reform efforts to improve efficiency and coordination, UN organizations stated they would reach fewer people with reduced funding.

The organizations also cited the escalating conflict in the Middle East as compounding the impact of cuts, noting that it drove up the costs of assistance and food production through rising energy prices and restricted supply chains. They argued that, given Germany's economic strength and commitment to multilateralism and human rights, Germany should continue to play a central role in preventing and managing global crises, and that sustained and strong contributions to humanitarian assistance and development cooperation were essential, including in Germany's own interest in a more stable and secure future.

On June 30, 2026, Germany launched a South‑North Commission on Development during the Hamburg Sustainability Conference, co‑chaired by former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and former Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla, to convene about twenty high‑level members and inform international reforms, with first interim outcomes in 2027 and a final report in 2028.

Co‑Chairs Olaf Scholz and Laura Chinchilla will convene a balanced group of around twenty representatives from politics, the private sector, academia, international organizations, and civil society to co‑develop solutions and reduce polarization, with agenda‑setting and decisions shared equally between South and North.

The mandate emphasizes strengthening multilateralism and new partnerships, contributing to a post‑2030 development agenda aligned to the UN 2030 Agenda, and informing future directions for Germany’s development policy. Regular meetings will be complemented by regional consultations in Africa, Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

The Commission will start work in mid‑2026, participate in major events including the Hamburg Sustainability Conference and the UN SDG Summit, present interim outcomes in 2027 in the context of the SDG Summit and the 50th anniversary of the first North‑South Commission, and deliver a detailed final report by end‑2028.

On June 30, 2026, Canada launched a donation-matching fund for Venezuela earthquake relief, matching individual donations to the Canadian Red Cross and the Humanitarian Coalition, bringing Canada's total humanitarian funding in response to the disaster to CAD9 million (US$6.3 million.)

At an event in Ottawa, Randeep Sarai, Canadian Secretary of State for International Development, announced that Canada will match donations made by individuals to the Canadian Red Cross and the Humanitarian Coalition during the June 25–July 14 window, capped at CAD4 million (US$2.8 million.) Funds will support emergency health care, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, and other essential services for affected communities.

The matching fund builds on CAD5 million (US$3.5 million) in humanitarian assistance announced on June 25, 2026, by Secretary of State Sarai and Minister Anand, allocated as follows: CAD2 million (US$1.4 million) to WFP; CAD2 million (US$1.4 million) to PAHO; and CAD1 million (US$700,000) to IRC.

Working with the Canadian Red Cross, Canada has supported the delivery of more than 5,700 emergency relief items, including blankets, mosquito nets, kitchen sets, tarpaulins, and jerry cans, and is supporting deployment of emergency health services and medical supplies. Canada stated it will continue to coordinate with partners on the ground to assess evolving needs following the earthquakes in Venezuela.

On June 30, 2026, The UK announced GBP23 million (US$30 million) for UNRWA at a UN pledging conference in New York to support up to 5.9 million Palestine refugees and scale humanitarian assistance in Gaza and across the region.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the contribution would help maintain essential services for up to 5.9 million Palestine refugees and assist civilians in Gaza facing displacement, food insecurity, and limited access to basic services. The funding will support primary healthcare, basic education, social services, emergency food, and shelter, as UNRWA continues to experience severe restrictions and disruption to its operations.

On June 30, 2026, Norway increased emergency assistance for Venezuela’s earthquake response by NOK20 million (US$2.0 million), split equally between UNHCR and IFRC to provide protection, shelter, health care, and other vital services.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the allocation will support immediate relief following the June 24 earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela, where authorities declared a state of emergency and rescue operations continue.

Funding to the IFRC will prioritize clean water, health care, and other life-saving efforts. Support to UNHCR will establish centers offering assistance, information, psychosocial support, and basic household items for affected people.

On June 26, 2026, Sweden increased its 2026 contribution to the Global Fund by SEK70 million (US$7 million), raising its total 2026 contribution from SEK683 million (US$68 million) to SEK753 million (US$75 million), an increase of more than 10%.

The Global Fund welcomed Sweden’s additional contribution toward the Eighth Replenishment, indicating the investment would expand access to prevention, treatment, and care for HIV, TB, and malaria with a focus on equity and reaching vulnerable populations, while strengthening health and community systems.

The Global Fund noted Sweden’s contribution will also bolster frontline health capacities in countries facing overlapping threats, including support for outbreak responses such as Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, and sustain essential services where HIV, TB, and malaria remain leading causes of illness and death. the Global Fund also underscored that these investments strengthen global health security and pandemic preparedness as partner countries leverage Global Fund–supported systems

On June 26, 2026, Japan announced an Emergency Grant of US$15 million for Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine (West Bank) to address deteriorating humanitarian conditions, alongside approximately JPY96 million (US$640,000) delivered via Japan Platform to Lebanon.

The Government of Japan said the US$15 million package will be implemented through international organizations, the ICRC, and the IFRC to support health, medical care, food, shelter/site management, and WASH.

Allocations include for Iran: UNHCR non-food items, WASH, and health (US$4 million); IFRC health and medical care (US$2.5 million); WFP food (US$2 million); and ICRC health and medical care (US$1.5 million). For Lebanon: ICRC health and medical care (US$1.5 million); WFP food (US$1 million); IOM site management, shelter, and non-food items (US$1 million); and UNICEF WASH (US$0.5 million). For Palestine (West Bank): UNICEF WASH (US$1 million).

Japan also noted that JPF has implemented about JPY96 million (US$640,000) in Lebanon through member NGOs—Association for Aid and Relief, Japan, PARCIC, and Campaign for Palestinian Children—providing food and daily necessities to internally displaced persons since March.

On June 25, 2026, Sweden announced SEK1.5 billion (US$150 million) to strengthen Ukraine’s energy supply ahead of winter, allocating funds to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency, and the IAEA for 2026.

The package comprises of SEK1.37 billion (US$137 million) for the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, channeled through Sida for urgent repairs and new energy production; SEK100 million (US$10 million) for the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency to provide staff, transport, procurement, and material such as generators and batteries; and SEK20 million (US$2 million) for the IAEA to enhance nuclear safety and security at Ukraine’s nuclear power plants. Sweden stated the support responded to extensive Russian attacks on Ukraine’s grid and power plants during the prior winter.

On June 25, 2026, the European Commission disbursed €3.2 billion (US$3.6 billion) in macro-financial assistance to Ukraine as the first tranche of the €90 billion (US$102.6 billion) Ukraine Support Loan for 2026–27, and said the first funds from a €6 billion (US$6.8 billion) defense package for drones would follow in the coming days.

At the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the first instalment of macro-financial assistance under the Ukraine Support Loan, which is designed to provide predictable and flexible budget support and defense-related financing through 2026–27. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the EU and member states have provided more than €200 billion (US$228.0 billion) in combined support.

The €3.2 billion (US$3.6 billion) payment is the first of three MFA tranches foreseen in 2026, totaling €8.35 billion (US$9.5 billion), under a May 2026 Memorandum of Understanding that sets reform preconditions. Disbursements are tied to satisfactory progress on measures that mobilize domestic revenue, improve the sustainability and quality of public expenditure, and strengthen public financial management.

For this instalment, Ukraine fulfilled seven policy conditions, including extending the military levy; submitting draft legislation to tax income earned via digital platforms; removing VAT exemptions for low-value imported parcels; advancing public investment management reforms; aligning customs legislation more closely with the EU acquis; strengthening customs governance; and reinforcing the medium-term public financial management reform plan.

The EU stated that the MFA supports Ukraine’s macro-financial stability, essential state functions, and priority spending needs, including recovery and reconstruction, while Russia’s war continues to impose high economic and fiscal costs.