Countries are drastically reducing foreign aid, the only difference among donors being the pace and extent of cuts.
For example, the US has suspended most of its foreign assistance that totalled $71.9 billion in 2023 – with all local workers and US diplomats reportedly to be fired from USAID, finalising the dismantling that began in February. France has reduced official development assistance (ODA) by $800 million, and the UK’s $20 billion aid pre-2023 halves by 2027. The Netherlands start retrenching in 2027, and cuts from Sweden and Germany are in motion.
The 1970 UN target dedicating 0.7 per cent of GNI to ODA is just a memory, having peaked at a mere 0.37 per cent in 2023. As the tectonic plates of foreign aid shift, what are the implications?
Disillusionment with aid was smouldering before US President Donald Trump returned to the White House. Toxic problems are not solvable through aid and create dependency among ill-governed receiving nations. Meanwhile, bloated aid agencies stand accused of resisting efficiency reforms.
Getting better value from aid requires shifts from institutions deeply vested in current arrangements
In the “my country first” era, Mr Trump has made explicit what was earlier whispered: ODA is a tool to advance national interests, a byproduct being the relief of poverty and suffering, not the other way round.
The ungenerous world climate fuels those arguing that it is good if aid shortfalls force countries to spend more to care for their people. Why should others immunise or educate your children if your government will not uphold its own social contract with citizens?
Massive wealth creation has taken global GDP to a record $115 trillion. Although this is inequitably distributed, globalisation enables trickling down into nations. So many countries could afford financing more their own development. Why don’t they?
But enlightened aid recipients will take time to re-allocate domestic resources to serve their people, while callous or failed states will not even try. Thus, the consequences of sudden and drastic aid reductions are evident through increased hunger, disease, and suffering, such as with Rohingya refugees and Myanmar earthquake survivors, or Afghans and Gazans.
Thanks to media, such suffering is made visible and, by offending our sensibilities, drives more of the diminishing aid pot towards emergency relief.
But mounting crises – wars and climate breakdown – mean that humanitarian provision will never be sufficient. Not least as more is diverted towards increased refugee flows and disasters within donor countries. More aid rationing is inevitable and objective needs-based humanitarian allocations are jettisoned as donors decide who to help. For example, considerations of border security and migration loom large for Europeans and Americans.
This triggers the making of moral judgements over perceived faults and failures. Thus, Ukranians receive help as victims of Russian aggression, but Gazans are penalised because of Hamas presence within. The self-inflicted wounds of the Sudanese civil war receive less attention. Helping the affected in Jakarta’s flooding is unquestioned, but why rescue Haiti yet again after gangs destroyed its largest hospital refurbished with $30 million of American aid?
Of course, such differentiation victimises the innocent survivors of catastrophes. But that is dismissed as collateral damage in the Trump-inspired age of impatience that seeks easy solutions to complex problems.
As selectivity and fatigue replaces humanitarian universalism, development assistance is also squeezed. The massive $4.2 trillion annual gap for financing the failing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) could reach $7 trillion by 2030.
Looming over this is the greater – even existential – threat from reduced investment in “global public goods” (GPGs).
Public goods are products and services available at zero or negligible marginal cost to benefit everyone without disadvantaging any current or future consumers. The attributes of “pure” GPGs are, therefore: non-exclusion, non-rivalry, and sustainability.
Familiar examples are sunlight or a beautiful landscape, enjoyable by all equally and simultaneously. That contrasts with private goods. So, an open-access highway is a public good but tolls mean that only those who can afford them can travel.
Therefore, while it is laudable to strive for the 17 SDGs with 169 targets, they do not all qualify as GPGs. For example, it is desirable not to be poor and enjoy decent livelihoods, healthcare, education, safe water, and clean energy. But the benefits are individual, however positive the collective gain for populations.
But these excellent national goods do not qualify as GPGs because the delivering state does not offer simultaneous and equal benefits to other states. And, even within individual states, consumption is competitive because supply is not limitless while conventional markets do not work well for GPG provision.
The humanitarian domain also provides stark illustrations. Obviously, hunger and human rights abuses are outrageous but not GPGs. Because their correction mostly brings private benefits to the rescued, however decent it is to do so. In short, correcting egregious public wrongs do not automatically translate into collective public goods.
This debate is crucial for optimising foreign aid. When resources are limited, the correct moral recourse is their application towards doing the most good for most people at most times, without harming others. The concept remains valid even with aid driven by donor self-interest.
This implies shifting foreign assistance away from traditional development and humanitarian aid that bring private benefits towards building genuine GPGs. Three endeavours top the list.
First is climate change. But only “mitigation” through de-carbonisation qualifies as a GPG, and not "adaptation" which are humanitarian and development efforts to save lives and prevent individual or group disaster losses, important as they are.
Second is pandemic prevention through disease surveillance and protection. This is a GPG because “no one is safe until all are safe.” But vaccines and treatments qualify as GPG only when part of control strategies, and not for humanitarian reasons.
Third is preventing nuclear war as avoiding worldwide devastation is an obvious GPG. Stopping other conflicts is worthwhile but not a GPG because their terrible consequences are largely local or regional.
Re-casting aid necessitates restoring integrity in international financing starting with ODA as selfless aid provision without benefitting the donor. But GPG financing for climate, pandemics, and nuclear war prevention is self-serving because it benefits givers as much as recipients. Thus, the prevalent habit of placing GPG support under ODA requires correction through separation.
Meanwhile, shrinking ODA also requires prioritisation. The best way is to let countries achieve their own SDGs as best as their political will and resources permit. However, rich nations must not block poor ones from maximising and better utilising their own stretched funds.
First, by reducing indebtedness in the global south which expends more in loan repayments than on human development. Second, by tackling illicit financing flows that rob poor countries of billions of dollars. Third, by agreeing a fair corporate tax regimen for multinationals so that poor jurisdictions are not unduly exploited by profit-seekers. These are achievable measures for a fairer development financing system.
That would also allow shrinking donor government funds to focus solely on GPGs. Humanitarian relief may be left to the hearts and consciences of individuals, organised through civil society such as the Red Cross Red Crescent and NGOs. That would restore the eroded trust in humanitarian values by building essential people-to-people bridges in a way that cannot be done by geo-politically driven governments.
Getting better value from aid requires shifts from institutions deeply vested in current arrangements. It includes reforming the World Bank and drastically slimming or closing some UN agencies. As well as focusing diplomatic energy on useful fora only, such as the climate-related Conferences of Parties, World Health Assembly and the UN disarmament machinery. That is more productive than the endless venting of frustrations at the toothless Human Rights Council or on unlikely Security Council reform.
Most recognise the necessity for improving aid effectiveness and will eventually be obliged to get behind required changes. However the bigger challenge is on achieving consensus for a meaningful re-envisioning of aid that restores its moral purpose.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Results
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UAE SQUAD
UAE team
1. Chris Jones-Griffiths 2. Gio Fourie 3. Craig Nutt 4. Daniel Perry 5. Isaac Porter 6. Matt Mills 7. Hamish Anderson 8. Jaen Botes 9. Barry Dwyer 10. Luke Stevenson (captain) 11. Sean Carey 12. Andrew Powell 13. Saki Naisau 14. Thinus Steyn 15. Matt Richards
Replacements
16. Lukas Waddington 17. Murray Reason 18. Ahmed Moosa 19. Stephen Ferguson 20. Sean Stevens 21. Ed Armitage 22. Kini Natuna 23. Majid Al Balooshi
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Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
The%20Sandman
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BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
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START-UPS%20IN%20BATCH%204%20OF%20SANABIL%20500'S%20ACCELERATOR%20PROGRAMME
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
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What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
The years Ramadan fell in May
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 540hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 2,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Kerb weight: 1580kg
Price: From Dh750k
On sale: via special order
EXPATS
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
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FORSPOKEN
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Company%20of%20Heroes%203
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%3Cp%3EDeveloper%3A%20Respawn%20Entertainment%0D%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Electronic%20Arts%0D%3Cbr%3EConsole%3A%20PC%2C%20PS5%2C%20XSX%0D%3Cbr%3ERelease%20date%3A%20March%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Suicide%20Squad%3A%20Kill%20the%20Justice%20League
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Final%20Fantasy%20XVI
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Street%20Fighter%206
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Diablo%20IV
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Baldur's%20Gate%203
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Assassin's%20Creed%20Mirage
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
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- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
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Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Sour%20Grapes
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Results
Stage 7:
1. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal - 3:18:29
2. Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - same time
3. Phil Bauhaus (GER) Bahrain Victorious
4. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep
5. Cees Bol (NED) Team DSM
General Classification:
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 24:00:28
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:35
3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:02
4. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:42
5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Company profile
Name: One Good Thing
Founders: Bridgett Lau and Micheal Cooke
Based in: Dubai
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 5 employees
Stage: Looking for seed funding
Investors: Self-funded and seeking external investors
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• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
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• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
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1: Quinoa
2. Bathua
3. Amaranth
4. Pearl and finger millet
5. Sorghum
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV
Power: 360bhp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh282,870
On sale: now
MATCH INFO
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1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
CABINET%20OF%20CURIOSITIES%20EPISODE%201%3A%20LOT%2036
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
More on animal trafficking
Profile of Tarabut Gateway
Founder: Abdulla Almoayed
Based: UAE
Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 35
Sector: FinTech
Raised: $13 million
Backers: Berlin-based venture capital company Target Global, Kingsway, CE Ventures, Entrée Capital, Zamil Investment Group, Global Ventures, Almoayed Technologies and Mad’a Investment.
