Statement by the High Representative and Vice-President Federica Mogherini and Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica

€30.5 billion worth of EU development cooperation to come on stream following entry into force of 11th EDF i

The EU and its Member States remain collectively the world's largest donor, providing more than half of global official aid. Today we mark the full entry into force of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF). As an important part of its external action, this is a cornerstone of the EU's international cooperation and development policy that concretely implements our partnership and dialogue with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries under the ACP-EU Cotonou Agreement. The EDF also covers cooperation with the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) as laid down in the Overseas Association Decision.

With a total of €30.5 billion, the 11th EDF will finance EU development cooperation projects until 2020 to assist partner countries' own efforts in poverty eradication. These funds come from EU Member States and will be managed by the European Commission to target the people most in need and to finance different sectors such as health and education, infrastructure, environment, energy, food and nutrition. 

The promotion of good governance, democracy and the rule of law are also other key areas that are supported as is sustainable development, including sustainable agriculture and rural development. These are ways how the EU and its Member States are clearly signalling support to the future post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) so that we continue focussing all our efforts in countries where our EU aid can have the most impact. This is in line with our vision set out in the 2011 "Agenda for Change".

EDF long-term development programmes are always agreed in close partnership with each of the countries or regions. This ensures that the cooperation is aligned to the respective national or regional priorities and that partner countries exercise their ownership of the development process.