5 questions about international cooperation
06 May 2025
4 minutes
De international solidarity is in jeopardy. According to figures from the OECD, official development cooperation is declining worldwide for the first time in five years. It is an alarming trend, because while the world is burning, international cooperation is needed more than ever. Using 5 questions, we show that development cooperation not only saves lives in the short term, but also contributes to stable societies in the long term.
What trend do we see in international solidarity?
The global attack on development cooperation is no longer a threat, but a reality. From day one of his presidency, Trump cut off billions in life-saving aid. USAID was cut. In Europe, too, countries such as Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands are cutting back on international cooperation.
Belgium is following that trend: Prime Minister De Wever's coalition agreement includes a 25% cut in development cooperation this legislative term. On top of that, the government also wants to reduce the tax deductibility of donations from 45% to 30%, an additional blow to the NGO sector. And then there is the statement by Georges-Louis Bouchez. In an interview with De Tijd he said bluntly: "as far as I'm concerned, that can go to zero." A quip in a cynical guise, but one that says a lot about the times we find ourselves in.
We are also concerned at the local level. In Flanders, eighteen municipalities have decided not to renew their title of 'Faire Gemeente'. This title is awarded to municipalities that are committed to fair trade and sustainable development. After the municipal elections of 2024, many authorities have other priorities, which we believe is unjustified.
What are the implications of this trend?
The freeze on USAID alone is causing worldwide shortages of medicines, the suspension of food aid and an increase in HIV, AIDS and Cholera. In Sudan, for example, there is a serious cholera outbreak, with children being the main victims. Due to the cuts in development aid, health centres are forced to close. Patients therefore travel long distances for medical care. The situation is further complicated by political instability and increasing food insecurity.
The consequences do not only affect countries in the Global South, but also stability worldwide. The savings also have indirect consequences for Europe or Belgium. Conflicts or diseases spread faster, leading to a pandemic or more people being forced to flee. Europe thinks it can guarantee its security with a massive increase in defense spending, but forgets that investing in security also requires investing in tackling instability, inequality and poverty in the world through development cooperation, among other things.
Why should we continue to invest in international cooperation?
The reality is that development cooperation does have an impact. It is not charity or luxury, but a matter of human rights. Development cooperation contributes to the reduction of poverty and the increase in the level of education. According to UNESCO, 34 million more children have been going to school since the 2000s. We can also help eradicate diseases from the world. Without international cooperation, we would not have a global vaccination programme against diseases such as polio or Ebola today. Polio has been almost completely eradicated and the number of HIV infections has halved since 2000.
Cutting development cooperation is therefore a false economy. International solidarity combats epidemics, creates opportunities and tackles the root causes of forced migration. In addition, investing in development cooperation is also smart. We will combat the next pandemic by investing in global access to health care, we combat forced migration by tackling its root causes, etc. We also have something to gain from this. According to the OECD, every euro invested in conflict prevention yields 16 euros afterwards.
Who sets a good example?
Fortunately, there is also resistance to the attacks on solidarity. All over the world, organizations and human rights activists are taking up the challenge for humanity and development cooperation.
This way local 11.11.11-partners such as ALEF and Basmeh & Zeitooneh are committed to sustainable solutions for Syrian youth and refugees, despite difficult circumstances. In the Philippines, the struggle of partner organizations such as PAHRA achieved a historic breakthrough: on March 11, 2025, former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested at the request of the International Criminal Court for large-scale human rights violations. Less than a week earlier, the province of Palawan decided to ban all new mining projects for 50 years – a victory for nature and communities, supported by indigenous groups and their allies.
Governments also sometimes opt for solidarity. When President Trump froze almost all American development aid in 2025, Norway stepped into the breach. The Norwegian government announced that it would support six humanitarian NGOs, including the Norwegian Refugee Council and Norwegian People's Aid, with $855 million over the next five years. A powerful signal at a time when international aid is increasingly under pressure. There are many examples of breakthroughs strengthened by development cooperation.
What can you do as a citizen to make a difference?
Quite a lot. By supporting organizations that work worldwide on human rights, climate justice and poverty reduction. By making your voice heard when solidarity is under attack. By calling on politicians and policymakers to take responsibility, in your neighborhood, online or at the polling stations. By consciously choosing a society in which international solidarity is not a luxury, but a basic principle.
Solidarity is not a distant concept. It starts with people using their voice and their commitment – including you.
