As Anders Nordström steps down as Sida chief, his deputies follow suit. The most powerful union leader in Sida fears reforms of the agency may halt.
Norway and Indonesia have signed a USD 1 billion aid deal aimed at curbing deforestation as part of an effort to combat climate change. A remarkable achievement of the agreement is a two-year ban on forest concessions. But the text is very weak on indigenous people’s rights.
Denmark wants to be a tougher, more focused actor in development cooperation in the coming years. A new development strategy calls for stronger engagement in fewer countries and a more targeted approach to promoting values such as freedom and human rights.
Donors have sent a strong message to the government of Tanzania, slashing budget support by 30 per cent. From a planned level of USD 754 million, the 14 donors will provide just USD 534 million in fiscal year 2010-11. If things don’t improve, Sweden could cancel budget support next year.
Donor commitments on REDD have increased by USD 500 million for the 2010-12 fast-start phase, largely as a result of a pledge by Germany. Sweden has also made its first pledge on REDD.
Almost four years after the Conservative MP Gunilla Carlsson became Sweden’s Development Minister, she had her day in the spot light. The firing of Sida's boss made headlines, but you have to step outside this blitzkrieg of media hype to find the real challenges for the Minister.