Ireland’s priorities for international development are outlined in its current development policy, “A Better World,” launched in February 2019. It focuses on reaching those furthest behind and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly prioritizing gender equality, reducing humanitarian needs, promoting climate action, and strengthening governance. In addition, Ireland aims to channel its energies to interventions focusing on protection, food, and people. It prioritizes Timor-Leste, Viet Nam, and small island developing states through its development agencies—the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Irish Aid.
Sovereign Cofinancing. The Ireland Trust Fund for Building Climate Change and Disaster Resilience in Small Island Developing States, established in April 2019, is the first single-donor trust fund financed by Ireland. The fund aims to support small island developing states in responding to climate change and disaster resilience challenges. A replenishment of €2.1 million (around $2.3 million) was committed in March 2022. It supported four technical assistance projects and two investment projects in 2022, with a total of $3.7 million in grants.
Nonsovereign Cofinancing. The Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program (TSCFP) supported over 70 transactions valued at $387.3 million with a bank operating in Ireland from inception to December 2022. During the same period, the TSCFP supported over 20 Irish exports and/or imports valued at $8.1 million. In 2022 alone, the TSCFP supported 37 transactions valued at $153 million with banks operating in Ireland and supported 2 Irish exports valued at $1 million. Exports and/or imports were mainly to/from Bangladesh and Pakistan. Underlying goods involved mostly food and agriculture-related goods, industrial machinery and capital goods, as well as consumer goods.
Special funds. Ireland contributes to ADB special funds where contributions from financing partners are administered with the same level of care as ADB’s own resources. Since becoming a member in 2006, Ireland has committed a total of $130.1 million to special funds, of which $118.3 million went to the Asian Development Fund (ADF). The ADF provides grants to ADB’s low-income developing member countries to promote poverty reduction and improvements in the quality of life.
Active Trust Funds
Trust funds with ongoing projects or no active projects but with remaining funds are considered active
News
ADB and the Ireland Trust Fund for Building Climate Change and Disaster Resilience in Small Island Developing States teamed up to help communities in Fiji which are at risk from the impacts of climate change. They will pilot at least 10 nature-based coastal protection activities across 10 villages to help build resilience against severe weather and climate events, and to protect livelihoods.
ADB and the Ireland Trust Fund for Building Climate Change and Disaster Resilience in Small Island Developing States supported the Government of Nauru in launching its National Social Protection Strategy, 2022–2032. The strategy aims to reduce poverty and vulnerability in the country by strengthening leadership, multisectoral collaboration, and governance.
Stories
Ireland has provided more than $130 million in support since joining the ADB in 2006. In recent years, that support has begun to focus on the Pacific and helping the region’s 14 developing member countries build resilience against climate change. In 2019, Ireland established the Ireland Trust Fund for Building Climate Change and Disaster Resilience in Small Island Developing States.
Through a technical assistance (TA) supported by several development partners, ADB was able to help increase the capacities of developing member countries in preventing and containing outbreaks like COVID-19. The TA helped expand access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines and design health security projects to address and counter infectious diseases.
Project Map
