On 7 March 2024, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs will chair 2024’s first plenary meeting of the National Council for Development and International Solidarity (CNDSI), in the presence of the Minister of State for Development and International Partnerships.

The CNDSI is the body for consultation between the various development and international solidarity stakeholders on the aims, guidelines, consistency and methods of France’s inclusive and sustainable investment policy.

It is made up of 67 figures representing the various components of civil society: NGOs, unions, economic actors committed to sustainable development, members of Parliament, local authorities, companies in the social and inclusive economy, foundations, universities and research centres, multi-stakeholder platforms and qualified foreign figures.

In 2022 France became the fourth-largest global lender of official development assistance (ODA). Indeed, France’s total ODA increased from €10.1 billion (0.43% of GNI) in 2017 to €15.2 billion (0.56% of GNI) in 2022, testifying to the international solidarity efforts made over several years.

With more than €800 million of commitments in 2023, France is also one of the world’s 10 leading humanitarian lenders. France’s new Humanitarian Strategy, presented at the National Humanitarian Conference of 2024, reaffirmed France’s role within the international community in responding to humanitarian needs.

During the plenary meeting, the Minister will review the consequences for official development assistance of the public-expenditure control effort announced for 2024. Indeed, following an unprecedented increase in its appropriations since 2017, official development assistance is being called upon to contribute some €742 million to the task of consolidating the public finances for the year 2024. The Minister will thus reiterate the goals set for the inclusive and sustainable investment policy, and will set out the priorities being promoted in this framework.

Three ongoing crises – and the consequent release of support funds – will be specifically discussed at the 7 March plenary meeting:

• The conflict in Sudan, which must not become a forgotten crisis. France, Germany and the European Union will co-chair an international humanitarian conference for Sudan and the neighbouring countries in Paris on 15 April 2024, one year after hostilities broke out.
• Ukraine, where operators, NGOs and local authorities are coordinating closely to contribute to the effort to support Ukrainians. To lend our full support to the country and its population, which has been facing the consequences of Russia’s aggression for two years, we shall continue helping Ukraine in the long term, including at European level.
• The situation in the Palestinian Territories, and particularly Gaza. France has played its full part in humanitarian efforts to support civilians (humanitarian aid to the tune of €100 million). France will continue working hand in hand with partners to ensure aid reaches the people.

The plenary meeting will also provide an opportunity to prepare with civil society for several major international engagements in 2024:

• the three United Nations conferences, on climate change (COP29 in Baku), desertification (COP16 in Saudi Arabia) and biodiversity (COP16 in Cali).
• the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs committed to a “sport and development” approach. The French Development Agency (AFD) is contributing to this momentum and, since 2019, has been financing projects harnessing sport as a tool to serve Sustainable Development Goals.