1st session of the Commission for International Development Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid Abroad

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs held the first session of the Commission for International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Abroad on Monday, 3 November 2025. The Commission was established pursuant to the Act on International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (Official Gazette 14/24).

Chaired by the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman, the Commission brings together key representatives of government bodies involved in the implementation of international development cooperation policies. During the session, participants emphasized the importance of further strengthening a strategic approach to this segment of Croatia's foreign policy, as well as enhancing capacities for planning, reporting, and implementing development and humanitarian activities.

In the introductory part of the session, members of the Commission were addressed by María del Pilar Garrido Gonzalo, Director of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), who highlighted the importance of further strengthening Croatia's development cooperation system and the continued partnership between the Republic of Croatia and the OECD. Grlić Radman underscored that Croatia is currently intensifying its cooperation with the OECD through the Development Cooperation Policy Reform Project, while also reinforcing institutional capacities in the areas of strategic planning, reporting, and project implementation.

The session also included the presentation of the Report on the Implementation of Croatia's International Development Cooperation for 2024 and the draft National Programme for International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Abroad for the period up to 2030 - a strategic document that will guide Croatia's development priorities over the next five-year period. The Programme was presented by Irena Alajbeg, Director-General of the Directorate for Economic Affairs and Development Cooperation, who emphasized the importance of an integrated approach, strengthened partnerships with the private and civil sectors, and a focus on efficiency and results.

It was concluded that the Republic of Croatia would continue to build a responsible, solidarity-based, and strategically oriented policy of international development cooperation and humanitarian aid, with particular emphasis on supporting the most vulnerable groups, strengthening the resilience of crisis-affected communities, and creating conditions for sustainable social and economic development in partner countries.

The session concluded with an address by Zdenko Lucić, State Secretary for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, who stressed the importance of continued cooperation among all competent institutions in finalizing the National Programme. He reaffirmed that the Republic of Croatia will continue to develop a recognizable, solidarity-based, and effective development policy founded on partnership and tangible results.

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