Why we need development cooperation

Foundations and principles

Humanitarian work is based on foreign policy objectives, international agreements and standards on development cooperation, sustainable development and humanitarian aid, the values and development policies of the Slovenian society and economy, its experience and comparative advantage.

The principles guiding development cooperation include:

• A human rights-based approach;
• Aid effectiveness, including states assuming the responsibility for their own development and inclusive partnership for sustainable development;
• Policy coherence for development.

Humanity, neutrality and independence are the main principles underlying humanitarian aid and reflect the needs of the affected population.

Slovenia's official development assistance

Slovenia undertook to increase its official development assistance (ODA) to 0.33 percent of its gross national income (GNI) by 2030. The same applies to countries that became EU Member States after 2002. The EU's commitment for the same period is 0.7 percent of GNI.

In 2024, Slovenia earmarked EUR 152.81 million or 0.23 percent of its GNI for development cooperation.

Sustainable development goals

At the UN Sustainable Development Summit on 25 September 2015, the international community adopted a landmark agreement, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aiming to eradicate poverty, reduce inequality and ensure progress. The 2030 Agenda comprises 17 sustainable development goals that, in a balanced manner, cover three sustainable development dimensions (economic, social and environmental). In addition, it provides for an action plan for people, the planet and the prosperity of all. The eradication of poverty in all its forms, including extreme poverty, is humanity's greatest challenge and a prerequisite for sustainable development. Countries around the world (both developing and developed countries) and all stakeholders have therefore partnered up to implement the 2030 Agenda.

In December 2017, we adopted the Slovenian Development Strategy 2030, the country's core development framework implementing 2030 Agenda that centres on the quality of life of everyone; with the incorporation of sustainable development goals, Slovenia ranks among countries that have recognised the importance of shared responsibility for the environment and society.