Malta's development policy

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs we further actioned Malta's Foreign Policy Strategic Objectives by drawing up a discussion document on an overseas development policy that I launched at a business breakfast with Bob Geldof, who was in Malta to raise funds for the YMCA Twelve Appeal Campaign for homeless people. During the breakfast, I presented a copy of the policy discussion paper to Bob Geldof and asked him to join in making his comments and suggestions on the document.

As shown in the Paper, our overseas development policy derives its strength from the very values that shape Malta's foreign policy, in particular solidarity, the promotion of democratisation and good governance. Thematically, Malta's development priorities are inspired by the UN Millennium Development Goals and Malta's Foreign Policy Strategic Objectives, laying emphasis on the eradication of poverty and hunger, development assistance related to health, education, democratisation and children, and the global dissemination of information and communication technology.

Malta identifies the Horn of Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, the Palestinian territories and Sri Lanka as priority geographical areas of its bilateral overseas development policy.

Development aid to countries in the Horn of Africa and in sub-Saharan Africa bears a direct link to the extensive problems of illegal immigration faced by Malta. Countries like Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia are the main countries of origin of illegal immigrants for Malta. Consonant with the UNDP's Human Development Indicators, cooperation with these countries will be based on needs and performance criteria. A determining factor in these cases will be the repatriation and reintegration of illegal immigrants to their country of origin, particularly with regard to the observance of article 13 of the Cotonou agreement.

Poverty levels need to be addressed urgently not only in Africa but also in the Middle East - the Palestinian economy is one of the most sensitive and fragile. Palestinians have been increasingly exposed to precarious humanitarian conditions and recent internal developments do not seem to be conducive to further accelerated socio-economic improvement. There is a dire situation for medical assistance and help in the educational and formative sector.

Cooperation with Sri Lanka continues successfully in the wake of the 2004 tsunami, which exposed the country to an unprecedented catastrophe. As a follow-up response to the natural disaster, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has teamed up with Maltese NGOs on a number of projects directing development efforts to the country.

As a member of the EU, Malta took an active role in the formulation of the European Consensus for Development. It has, for decades, participated in the various UN agencies related to development. In the Commonwealth, particularly as current Chair-in-Office, Malta supports initiatives aimed throughout the countries of the Commonwealth. Moreover, as the Commonwealth Secretary General's nominee chairing the Steering Committee of the Commonwealth Action Plan for the Digital Divide (CAPDD), I am also committed to the transfer of ICT technology, expertise and know-how from one part of the Commonwealth to other parts that need it. This is a development process par excellence.

Development should also empower civil society and the private sector. Our overseas development policy in fact calls for the active engagement of the Maltese NGOs and the private sector with their counterparts in developing partner countries in Malta's areas of focus. With regard to the development of the private sector, Malta will promote the principle of corporate social responsibility (CSR) so that all stakeholders are rendered sensitive to development issues.

While international and bilateral development assistance is required, the onus of development lies with each country itself. Malta's approach is geared at enhancing the concept of ownership.

The discussion paper is open for consultation with members of the public and civil society. It is available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at www.mfa.gov.mt. The ministry is open to any suggestions and comments that can be sent via e-mail to developmentpolicy@ gov.mt up to July 31.

Dr Frendo is Minister of Foreign Affairs.