Luxembourg's development cooperation - Annual report 2017

Population 17,99 million
Surface area 1 240 192 km2
GNP per inhabitant (PPP in $) 2 050
Classification in HDI 175/188
ICP III (2015-2019) 61 million EUR

2017 has been the most deadly year for Mali since the start of the political and military crisis in 2012. Against a background of a gradual deterioration of the security situation, Mali remains a hotbed of instability in the Sahel region, characterised by the worrying increase in armed groups of various kinds and the absence of Malian state services in a large part of the northern and central regions of the country.

The country is a prime example of Luxembourg’s “3D” policy (diplomacy, development, defence) and Luxembourg has remained at Mali’s side and continued its cooperation in the south and north of the country, supporting the most affected populations. Although the security aspect has necessarily increased in importance, Luxembourg has also provided additional financial contributions of around 6,8 million euros for its third Indicative Cooperation Programme drawn up and signed in 2015 with the Malian authorities. These additional commitments aim in particular to strengthen food security by assisting farmers’ organisations with their hydro-agricultural investments both in the south and north of the country; they also aim to support the establishment of interim authorities in Kidal and Gao, which are an essential step in implementing the Algiers Agreements and a major source of hope for the consolidation of peace in Mali.

In view of the increased development cooperation by the Benelux countries in the Sahel, in November 2017 Prime Minister Xavier Bettel made a visit to Bamako with his Belgian counterpart in order to send a strong message of solidarity to our partners in Mali.