Icelandic Development Co-operation
Respect for human rights, development co-operation and the peaceful resolution of disputes are defined as cornerstones of Iceland´s foreign policy in the Icelandic government's manifesto. Iceland has a broad development assistance program. Multilateral aid is concentrated on co-operation through the World Bank and through Nordic co-operation. Bilateral aid is administered by the Icelandic International Development Assistance Agency (ICEIDA).
Iceland's development policy takes account of the Millennium Goals that are eight defined and measurable goals that the United Nations seek to achieve before the year 2015, form the foundation for all international development work. The goals are designed to improve the conditions of the inhabitants of the developing countries by eradicating poverty and hunger, improving health, promoting equal rights of the genders, improving education and environmental protection and contributing to global cooperation on development.
The guiding light in all of Iceland's development cooperation is support for developing countries in achieving self sufficiency in economic and welfare matters and in that regard no task is more important than education and the dissemination of knowledge. Icelanders have much to offer in this respect. Iceland's expertise in the use of renewable energy sources can furthermore be extremely useful for poor countries, for example in Africa, many of whom possess abundant natural resources which they have not had the expertise to utilise in the interests of the public. Iceland's development work puts special emphasis on the affairs of women and children. Through increased allocations to key agencies of the United Nations which are involved in the affairs of women and children.
More than half of the Icelandic development budget goes to fixed disbursement to various UN agencies and other international organizations and about 40% goes to bilateral projects through ICEIDA. The long term objective of Iceland's development co-operation is sustainable development, economic growth, equality, independence, democracy and the strengthening of human rights.