News item | 20-09-2022 | 12:01
On Budget Day, King Willem-Alexander reads the Speech from the Throne, setting out the government’s plans for the coming year. What are the main plans in the field of international policy and foreign trade and development cooperation?
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The international environment is changing rapidly and drastically. What happens in the world around us has direct consequences for our own security, freedom and prosperity. The war in Ukraine affects us all and is all the more reason to strengthen our diplomatic commitment worldwide. That is why the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation receive extra money.
The Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation has more than €3.8 billion to spend in 2023. The development budget will increase, with an additional €500 million per year. The Minister of Foreign Affairs will also receive extra money, for example to strengthen the network of embassies.
Stimulate foreign trade and development cooperation
The cabinet is making an extra €134 million available to better combine aid and trade abroad. This brings the full annual amount for this to €518 million. The government wants to use this money to encourage Dutch companies to invest in developing countries. This is necessary because democracy is under pressure worldwide. For example, because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Europe more important than ever
Since the Second World War, Europe has again been confronted with a major conflict. As a geopolitical power, the EU must be able to better monitor its own strategic autonomy and security. The EU unity is therefore more important than ever. The remittances to the European Union, approximately €11.4 billion, therefore remain essential.
Expansion of humanitarian aid and reception in the region
More than 300 million people are currently affected by natural disasters, epidemics or violence. Help is therefore desperately needed. The budget for humanitarian aid will increase by €184 million in 2023 to a total of €520 million per year. In order not to increase the pressure on the Dutch asylum reception any further, extra money will also be made available to improve reception in the region.
climate
Climate and climate change are urgent themes that do not stop at national borders, so the Netherlands helps countries to become more sustainable. With, among other things, an extra €109 million for the climate in 2023. The Netherlands will use this money for, among other things, investments in green energy in Africa, reduced deforestation and strengthening resilience for the most vulnerable people.
Promoting Global Human Rights
To improve human rights in the world, the government will make an extra €4 million available every year from 2023. It also wants to strengthen the international legal order and thus ensure a more stable and safer world. A total of €67.4 million is available in the budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the protection and promotion of human rights. The extra impulse of 4 million will partly be used for extra staff in the field of human rights.
Expansion of embassies network
A strong network of embassies and consulates in the world is indispensable for the worldwide interests of Dutch citizens and entrepreneurs. That is why in 2023 an extra €29 million will go to strengthening the Dutch representations abroad. For example, to hire extra staff at embassies and consulates. This amount will increase to €40 million in 2024 and €52 million in 2025.