On 24th of April, Minister Berendsen of Foreign Affairs and Minister Sjoerdsma of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation published the Foreign Affairs Policy Letter 2026. In addition to a broad vision of the Netherlands’ role and interests in the world, this document also announces a new vision for development cooperation:
The government is investing in development cooperation, thereby taking a step towards the international OECD standard. Our partners in the Global South are seeking to cooperate with us on an equal footing in the areas of security and stability, migration and displacement, and trade and the economy, at a time when ODA budgets are declining worldwide and the implementation of the SDGs is stalling. What this requires from us, in the short term, is to adopt a new international vision of development cooperation based on equality, in order to promote both material and non-material interests. Development cooperation will need to become more strategic. We are stepping up our efforts in democratisation and good governance, women’s rights, humanitarian aid, global health, equitable economic partnerships, climate action and vocational education, including scholarships.
To develop this new vision, the MFA has requested an Advisory Brief from the Advisory Council on International Affairs (AIV). This Brief will be polished in the fall and reflect on this question in the context of geopolitical change and global budget cuts to aid. How can the Netherlands and Europe design their development cooperation with partners in teh Global South in a way that is future proof and integrated as part of a broader Foreign Policy?
As platform organisation for International Development Cooperation Partos believes that the voices of international civil society are vital when the future of this sector is on the table. In the upcoming month Partos will facilitate a consultation proces in cooperation with our members and their partners. Together we will develop recommendations that reflect the experience and lessons learned across the sector and several thematic priorities. In this way, we can ensure that the voice of civil society is heard loud and clear.
Thematic sessions will take place in the coming weeks. During each session, recommendations will be formulated, which will be published in a compilation at the end of the process – in any case before the start of the new political year – and presented to the AIV and the Minister.
Thematic Sessions
For each session, a panel of experts (NGOs, Global South representatives, academics) will be assembled to discuss the relevant topic and attempt to reach recommendations, led by a moderator. As a Partos member or partner you can participate in these sessions via MS-Teams and provide your expertise and input. Below you will find a link to join each session and their date and time. We encourage you to share relevant sessions with your colleagues.
| Date & Time | Theme |
| June 9 – 12.30 | Peace, Security and Stability incl. Humanitarian Aid |
| June 16 – 10:00 | Water |
| June 16 – 12.30 | Food Security |
| June 18 – 10.00 | Gender Equality and SRHR |
| June 18 – 12.30 | Children, Youth, Employment and Private Sector Development |
| June 23 – 10.00 | Trade and Dutch Diamond |
| June 23 – 12.30 | Civic Space |
| June 25 – 10.00 | Climate Justice |
| June 25 – 12.30 | Global Health |
Please note: the duration of each session will be 1,5 hours.
| Session | Panelists |
| June 9 – 12.30 |
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| June 16 – 10:00 |
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| June 16 – 12.30 |
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| June 18 – 10.00 |
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| June 18 – 12.30 |
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| June 23 – 10.00 | |
| June 23 – 12.30 | As global civic space faces increasing pressure from rising authoritarianism, shifting geopolitics, shrinking budgets, and weakened multilateral systems, your insights are essential to define how civil society can continue to play a vital role in shaping effective, inclusive, and equitable partnerships with the Global South. Through expert inputs, panel reflections, and dynamic discussions, you will contribute directly to concrete recommendations for how the Dutch government and the EU should ensure that future policies protect civic freedoms, strengthen democracy, and adapt to emerging global challenges. With, among others:
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| June 25 – 10.00 |
This session will include breakout rooms to explore the topics: finance, just energy transition, equal partnerships and policy coherence. |
| June 25 – 12.30 |
This session will make us of breakout rooms to include input of participants. |
Output
Input from all sessions will be consolidated in a shared document with a vision on the future of international cooperation from civil society. De first results will be discussed June 30th at the lobbynetwerkbijeenkomst.
Sign up to our mailinglist
Please note: the following form will sign you up for the mailinglist. This way you can keep up to date on any changes in the schedule and our eventual results. This form does not sign you up for any specific session, you can simply participate using the links above.