Every September, the United Nations Member States to discuss the great international challenges. This year, in addition, the organization celebrates its 80th anniversary under the motto Better together: 80 years of more peace, development and human rightsin a context in which he is uncertain. Geopolitical changes and global tensions the progress of international development and climatic agreements, just
States have the responsibility to ensure that multilateralism remains crucial to protect childhood. Putting children in the center of these decisions is the only way to prevent the future of humanity. Because each cut has a name and a face.
This week I have known the story of Kuhla, an Ethiopian baby who lives in Afar, one of the regions, where almost half of the boys and girls grow late in their development. His family is nomad and depends on a mobile clinic to reach its village so that it can receive a vaccine or therapeutic food. Of the 30 units that crossed the area, just seven are still operational. The others have stopped working because there are not enough funds.
It is difficult to imagine what it means to a mother to hear that the clinic he took to her son will no longer go through her village. They are not statistics, because some governments have decided that cooperation could be cut.
Official Development Aid (AOD) cannot be understood only as a budget item: it is a system for the protection of humanity and fundamental rights
In recent months, Germany, France or the United Kingdom have significantly reduced their development aid budgets. In 2024 alone, international cooperation fell 7% and projections point to a decrease of up to 17% in 2025. That setback threatens to leave more than 15 million boys and girls already more than 20 million without basic health services, which cost decades to achieve.
Official development aid (AOD) cannot be understood only as a budget item: it is a system of protection of humanity and fundamental rights, nutrition, water or the environment, which benefits the whole of society. The AOD catals positive changes, supports social institutions and organizations, and plays a critical role in survival and development of childhood potential.
Spain laminated its already limited AOD after the financial crisis. However, in recent years there has been an increase in budgets, promoted by one that has been reflected in a new law approved by a very large majority of Parliament.
That said ,. In 2023 we allocated 3,588 million euros to the AOD, which is equivalent to 0.24% of our Gross National Income (RNB), when the objective also collected, with gradual increases that must begin in 2026. The growth of previous years and the firm legislative commitment, together with other reform measures, are steps in the right direction that, if maintained, will allow to decide the Spanish international cooperation decisively.
The good news is that citizens support that help. More than 76% of the Spaniards believe that we must cooperate internationally, even if they suppose costs. And when it is explained that it is equivalent to about 4 or 5 euros per year per taxpayer, almost half think that it should increase. Solidarity is there and has to take care of, explaining the achievements well, which the AOD achieves and transferring that social support to policies and budgets.
A relevant role in Spain is also played by decentralized cooperation. (327.5 million euros in 2024). Of these, he channeled 11.5 million euros through UNICEF, which allowed, for example, to develop maternal-child health projects in Cuba or Peru; Prevent and in Guatemala or Mauritania; Improve access to water and sanitation, with adaptation to climate change, in Malawi, Guinea-Bisáu, Burkina Faso, Peru or Bolivia; Generate educational opportunities and for the use of vulnerable young people (especially women), in Somalia, Burundi, Brazil, Peru or Mexico, or advance against child marriage in Mozambique or the Dominican Republic. They are contributions that make it possible to sustain programs that respond to concrete challenges and that would otherwise be at risk.
It is shown that every additional year of schooling can increase the future income of a child by up to 10%, a clear proof that investing in childhood always has a return
Investment in childhood is never lost. , each classroom that remains open, every girl who manages to delay a thanks to continue at school, is a gain for her, for her community and for a safer and prosperous world. It is demonstrated that every additional year of schooling can increase the future income of a child by up to 10%, a clear proof that investing in childhood always has return.
Spain must continue to make a difference, as it made to house, and boost dozens of positive initiatives in the framework of it. At a time when some great donors have reduced their support, our country can demonstrate that fulfilling cooperation commitments is not a matter of generosity, but of global responsibility.
In many places I have seen how, where cooperation was sustained, childhood had more opportunities and their rights were respected more. Leading in this field means betting on a strong and renewed multilateralism, capable of protecting childhood in any corner of the planet, and remembering that international solidarity is also a way to protect our own future.
We cannot afford the most unforgivable setback: let millions of children see their future canceled, their lives in danger, by an accounting adjustment derived from a lack of political priority. That will never understand any mother, no father … nor will future generations forgive us.
