About our Policy
A Better World, Ireland’s policy for international development, was formally launched by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste Simon Coveney.
A Better World is a whole of government policy. It provides the framework for Ireland’s expanding development cooperation programme, in line with the Government’s commitment to reaching the UN target of allocating 0.7% of our GNI to official development assistance by 2030. It outlines Ireland’s vision of a more equal, peaceful and sustainable world. It charts a clear way forward to achieve this vision, shaping and protecting our stability, our prosperity, our shared interests and our common future.
A Better World has been developed in the full knowledge of the volatile global context in which we live, and the firm belief that global problems can only be tackled through collective action. It represents a significant milestone both in terms of Ireland’s international development policy and our foreign policy as a whole, updating our traditional focus on ‘the poorest of the poor’ to realise the pledge of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to reach ‘the furthest behind first’.
A Better World outlines Ireland’s vision of a more equal, peaceful and sustainable world. It charts a clear way forward to achieve this vision, shaping and protecting our stability, our prosperity, our shared interests and our common future.
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A Better World Ireland's Policy for International Development
Our Vision
Equality
Our signature foreign policies, set out in Global Island, to combat poverty and hunger and advance human rights are the basis for equality and are essential for achieving peace and sustainable development.
Sustainability
A sustainable world requires the protection of our natural world. Through our development cooperation we are committed to supporting societies and livelihoods to be resilient and to promote sustainable resource management.
Peace
A secure stable world where people can live without fear and in dignity is the foundation for peace and the protection of people.
Ireland is recognised internationally for its commitment to the reduction of poverty and vulnerability, our focus on least developed countries and humanitarian action. In looking forward we will build on these strengths to work towards our vision of a more equal, sustainable and peaceful world.