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Climate shocks, economic fragility and protracted conflict are exacerbating humanitarian needs, leading to unprecedented levels of displacement and an escalating hunger crisis. With one in every five children in the world – about 400 million – living in or fleeing from conflict zones, the scale of the challenge is daunting.
Against a backdrop of geopolitical unrest and an increasingly defensive EU, Ireland will be challenged to assert its foreign policy priorities in the coming years. Ireland has a confident identity on the international stage. We have an opportunity to renew our moral, political and economic standing internationally.
Much has been achieved by our active participation in multilateral forums, including the UN Security Council, and by our central role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. Our reputation as an ethical leader, and our overseas development assistance which strives to “reach the furthest behind first” is a crucial part of our identity on the world stage. Ireland’s success globally has been strengthened by our membership of the EU, our model of foreign direct investment and the hinterland of our diaspora.
Looking ahead to the mid-21st century, we must build on that. Globalisation and climate change mean that previously far horizons are coming closer. The EU, which is central to our positioning, will require members to do more in a changed environment. We cannot stand still and expect the world to stay the same.
Our opportunity is to deepen our long-standing and deeply believed-in commitment to overseas development. We need to maintain an outsize footprint globally.
In the Programme for Government 2025-2030, and for the decades after, Dóchas, the Irish Network of Development and Humanitarian Organisations, calls for an ambitious plan on the world stage based on our core values. We must uphold our principles in the world, develop our positive presence in Africa and reinforce our strong humanitarian leadership within the multilateral systems which has earned us such respect.
We must also modernise that tradition, adding our smart strategic knowledge, providing the solutions to climate change, eradicating hunger, insisting that international law is upheld and justice is done. This aligns what we should do for others with what we can do for ourselves.
Centre to that pledge is a number: 0.7pc. That is the promise to spend 0.7pc of Gross National Income (GNI) on Official Development Assistance (ODA). In reality, Ireland is miles off where it needs to be in getting to this target.
In 2015, Ireland committed to reaching that target by 2030. In 2023, we reached 0.32pc, and Budget 2025 was a missed opportunity to progress this.
Irish civil society, represented by respected development and humanitarian non-governmental organisations, is a key part of Ireland’s presence on the world stage. In the Programme for Government 2025-2030, the government must realise Ireland’s commitment to spend 0.7pc of GNI on Overseas Development Assistance by 2030 and publish a clear spending pathway to achieve this.
We must also provide transformative climate finance that meets our fair share. The inadequate and slow global response of governments and policymakers in delivering known solutions at Cop29 effectively abandoned the least developed countries – those least responsible – to solve the crisis themselves.
Irish people actively support Ireland’s role in standing in solidarity with the most marginalised people around the world. This is evidenced by the nationwide call to action in support of the people of Gaza. We also know that almost one in five households across Ireland donates money to an international humanitarian and development organisation, while 76pc of Irish people support giving overseas development assistance. We ask that the next Programme for Government backs our call to reassert Ireland’s positive position in the world with confidence and to reach 0.7pc GNI on real, overseas aid without delay.
Jane-Ann McKenna is the CEO of Dóchas, the Irish Network of Humanitarian and Development Organisations
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