The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government has set out how commitments to international development, climate justice and responding to humanitarian crises made during the recent Scottish Parliament election will be taken forward.
The document confirms that the international development fund will be increased by 25%, that the Climate Justice Fund will continue to support communities in the Global South to build resilience and address loss and damage, and that an Aid Match scheme will be developed. The Government hopes to introduce a Human Rights Bill in Year 2 of the current parliament.
The Programme for Government was published on 1st September, the same day that the Scottish Parliament’s European, External Affairs and Culture Committee questioned the Scottish Government Minister for External Affairs, Stephen Gethins MSP, and Minister for International Development, Simita Kumar MSP. At the wide-ranging discussion, Minister Kumar was asked about the importance of a wider review of international development policy and the need for an updated strategy, the timescale for increasing the size of the International Development and Climate Justice Funds, and support for humanitarian crises, including the climate related disaster in Nepal, as well as wider conflict prevention and peacebuilding.
Reacting to the Programme for Government, and the Committee evidence session, SIDA CEO Frances Guy said:
“It is good to see Scotland’s global impact feature prominently on the first day of business after summer for the Scottish Parliament. We agree with Minister Stephen Gethins when he said that the Scottish Government’s international work is not optional – domestic decisions have an impact around the world, and vice versa.
“Minister Simita Kumar’s unequivocal support for international aid and the commitment to increase international development spending while other governments are making cuts is also welcome, but we need more certainty about how this will phased. Front-loading the increase and matching the budget with inflation, will allow for much more predictable and effective implementation of projects in the global south. The unfolding tragedy caused by flooding in Nepal and Tibet shows that affected communities can’t wait for bureaucratic timelines.
“There has been yet another delay to the promised Human Rights Bill, and it’s not clear why the Bill could not have been brought forward in the current parliamentary year. SIDA has long supported calls for legislation to embed international human rights treaties and the right to a healthy environment into Scots law.
“SIDA and our member organisations will continue to work with the Scottish Government and parties across the Scottish Parliament to promote action for a fairer world, free from poverty, injustice and environmental threats.”
[ENDS]