IRELAND HAS been ranked fifth in a global index measuring the efforts of developed nations in helping poorer countries to lift themselves out of poverty.
The Commitment to Development Index is published annually by the Washington-based Center for Global Development.
It assesses the policies of 22 developed countries in terms of their overall policy towards the developing world. Countries are judged not just on their aid programmes, but also in relation to trade, migration, technology and investment policies, and responsible environmental and security stances.
This year the index highlighted the effectiveness of the Government’s overseas aid programme, praising the fact that such aid is untied and in the form of grants rather than loans.
The index also commented favourably on the programme’s concentration on the poorest countries.
“Ireland’s strongest contributions to the development of poor countries come through its high-quality foreign aid program and its lack of arms exports to undemocratic governments,” the report says.
However, it ranks Ireland as one of the least supportive states when it comes to investment in poor nations, noting that it is one of only three countries in the index without a national political risk insurance agency.
Ireland’s position on the index has risen steadily in recent years. The State was ranked seventh in 2007 and 12th in 2006.
Earlier this year, the Center for Global Development ranked Ireland second internationally, after Sweden, in its commitment to development in Africa.
Minister of State for Overseas Development Peter Power welcomed Ireland’s improved ranking in this year’s index.
“The index represents further international recognition of the major role Ireland is playing in the fight against global poverty and hunger, through the Government aid programme and through the efforts of individual Irish citizens and groups,” he said.
The Netherlands was ranked first in this year’s index, on the strength of the country’s generous aid programmes, falling greenhouse gas emissions and strong support for investment.
Three other leading aid donors – Denmark, Sweden, and Norway – were placed ahead of Ireland in the rankings. Japan and South Korea came last, due to meagre aid programmes as a percentage of GDP and limited immigration and imports.