Introduction
With this website, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs presents the results that the Netherlands, together with national and international partners, has achieved in the field of development co-operation in 2016.
Insight into the results is important, in order to make adjustments and in terms of accountability: to Parliament, to Dutch citizens and to the people whose position we aim to improve.
Inclusive sustainable development
Investing in inclusive sustainable development pays off. This was also apparent in 2016. The number of people living in extreme poverty has been further reduced to less than 10% of the world’s population. In 2010, this figure was 22% (and in 1990 it was 47%).
But the remaining number of people living in extreme poverty is still unacceptable. In addition, (geo) political tensions in the Middle East, parts of Africa and the fringes of Europe continue to cause instability and risks to security. The number of refugees and displaced persons rose to more than 65 million people in 2016. Poverty remains persistent in fragile states and inequality within countries is increasing. Making trade and investment flows sustainable is no easy feat in an unpredictable global economy. Climate change is not only leading to long-term drought but also to major flooding. And for truly equitable development to exist, attention must be paid to the disadvantaged position of women and girls. The Netherlands continues to work on these challenges. The Sustainable Development Goals – the UN’s global agreements to combat poverty, inequality and climate change – therefore form the framework up to 2030.