Seville: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has voiced concerns over the fragmentation of development aid, emphasizing that the dispersal of resources across numerous small projects, parallel channels, and competing priorities often diminishes their overall impact.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Prime Minister Oli highlighted these issues during a statement at the Special Event convened by the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, on ‘Investing in Global Solidarity: A New Vision of Development Cooperation’ held in Seville, Spain. This event took place alongside the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development.
The event underscored the enduring value of development cooperation, particularly in an era characterized by resurging nationalism, growing protectionism, and regional and global conflicts. Prime Minister Oli stressed that development cooperation should not be perceived as mere charity but as a commitment to ensure no one is left behind in the collective pursuit of progress. “It is about partnerships that empower communities, strengthen institutions, build capacity, and foster resilience,” he stated.
He further explained that development cooperation is an act of solidarity aimed at achieving lasting peace, shared prosperity, climate justice, and establishing a just, fair, and equitable world. Despite its proven significance, development assistance is on the decline, even as the wealth and income of many advanced economies continue to rise. Oli noted that this decline is occurring at a critical time when countries in special situations face increasing challenges and need enhanced global support to drive inclusive growth.
Prime Minister Oli expressed optimism about the Sevilla Commitment, adopted recently, which promises to transform principles into progress through global solidarity. He welcomed the emphasis on strengthening international development cooperation as a catalyst for sustainable development, asserting that it is time to turn words into action. He called for innovative approaches to mobilizing resources and making development cooperation genuinely impactful for people on the ground.
He also pointed out that developing countries are experiencing mounting financial stress, including rising debt, emphasizing that concessional finance is essential in this context.