Eduardo González
The last Council of Ministers of the Government in office on Tuesday authorized a total of 5.9 million euros in voluntary contributions to several international organizations, just a few hours before the investiture of Pedro Sánchez for a new mandate at the head of the Executive.
The list, in terms of amount, is headed by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), with 2.8 million euros. According to the Government, the UNDP’s objectives in favor of development in the world are aligned with Spain’s foreign policy objectives, as set out in the Foreign Action Strategy 2021-2024. Spain is a member of the UNDP Executive Board. The first Framework Agreement for collaboration between our country and this organization was signed in 2005 and was followed by three successive Strategic Partnership Frameworks (SPA), in 2009, 2015 and 2019. The last MFA expired in 2021 and both parties wish to begin negotiations for a new agreement to regulate Spain-UNDP relations, taking into account the new UNDP Strategic Plan 2022-2025 and the new Spanish Cooperation Law.
The Council of Ministers also authorized a voluntary contribution of one million euros to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). In September 2008, the Spain-UNICEF Fund for Assistance in Humanitarian Contexts was created. In addition, Spain and UNICEF have maintained a strategic alliance since the signing of a Framework Agreement in 2004. In 2009, Spain and UNICEF signed a Strategic Partnership Framework (SPA) for the period 2010-2012, which was subsequently extended, and both parties are negotiating a new Partnership Framework based on the UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022-2025 and the Cooperation Act.
In addition, Spain will make voluntary contributions of 750,000 euros to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN WOMEN) and a voluntary contribution of 250,000 euros to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN HABITAT).
The list is completed with 350,000 in voluntary contributions to nine other international entities. Specifically, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) of the Organization of American States (OAS) will receive 200,000 euros in two contributions of 100,000 euros for the Special Follow-up Mechanism for Nicaragua (MESENI) and the Follow-up Committee for the Implementation of the Recommendations of the GIEI-Bolivia (MESEG Bolivia).
The African Union will receive 30,000 euros; the Hague Conference on Private International Law, the International Criminal Court, the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) will each receive 25,000 euros; the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROT) will receive 14,000 euros; and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) will receive 6,000 euros.
