Since 9/11, Norway has launched a massive increase of aid in the Muslim belt from Africa to Western Asia. Norway has become the dominating Nordic donor in countries like Sudan, Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan, all hot spots in the war against terror. In Palestine and Sudan, Sweden is also an important player. In the aftermath of the invasion of Iraq, Denmark strongly profiled its plans for substantial assistance. Little has materialised though and Denmark remains a rather small donor in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In contrast, Denmark has held the position as the largest Nordic donor in many traditional African recipient countries. These are some results of Development Today’s analysis of aid figures from OECD/DAC and the Nordic aid administrations.

Two Swedes and Norwegian PM on UN panel

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has appointed the Swedes Ruth Jacoby and Lennart Båge and Norwegian PM Jens Stoltenberg as members of a high-level panel established to examine how the UN can work more effectively in the fields of development, humanitarian assistance and the environment.

Overall cuts in NGO budgets and the end of Denmark’s 100 per cent state funding era mean that in 2006 several Danish NGOs will for the first time be going door-to-door to solicit money for their activities in developing countries. Care and Ibis have decided to join forces, while MS and Save the Children will go it alone.

‘Unable to absorb huge funding boost’

According to the Finnish government’s plan, Finnish NGOs will receive a funding boost of EUR 20 million for development activities next year. But the Foreign Ministry questions whether the organisations have the capacity to absorb so much new money so fast.

A year after Thoraya Obaid took the leadership of UNFPA, the UN agency that promotes sexual reproductive health and rights, the United States withdrew USD 34 million in support and hasn’t provided any funding since. In an exclusive interview with Development Today, Obaid reflects on the impacts of the US cuts, and answers the speculations surrounding her possible candidacy as next UN Secretary General.

Denmark’s Arab Initiative on hold

Launched in 2003, the Danish Arab Initiative has had the goal of broadening the dialogue between Denmark and Europe and the Arab world. As a ...