Lees voor

2017 - 2021: Sigrid Agnes Maria Kaag

"As a minister, I am committed to promoting our foreign trade and fostering greater stability and growth in developing countries. A significant portion of our livelihood comes from businesses operating across borders, contributing to a third of our income. Moreover, the private sector is indispensable in providing people with the prospect of a better life. Together, we generate jobs and prosperity. Other crucial priorities include assistance for those compelled to leave their homes, addressing climate change, terrorism, and poverty. For increased stability there translates to enhanced security here."

Sigrid Kaag began her career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and later worked for the UN and UNICEF before being appointed Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation in the Rutte III cabinet in 2017.

Policy

Kaag's tenure brought about new policy choices. The D66 minister aimed to reinvest in education after previous unsuccessful attempts in the Netherlands. Geographically, there were changes under her leadership. The term "partner countries" disappeared, and only "focus regions" such as the Middle East, North Africa, the Sahel, and the Horn of Africa were mentioned. This marked a departure from the poverty criterion that had determined country selection for 50 years. The goal of this new focus was to prevent conflicts and counteract instability.

The policy note also addresses reducing poverty and societal inequality, promoting sustainable inclusive growth and global climate action, and strengthening the international earning capacity of the Netherlands. Under Kaag's policy, there is special attention to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

The policy under Kaag aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, serving as a comprehensive framework for the international approach to global issues and challenges. These goals are clearly reflected in the policy note titled 'Investing in Perspective.'

Finances

Financially, there is a significant cut in this area, with the budget remaining just above 0.5% of the Gross National Income. The majority of the budget is allocated to humanitarian aid and refugee support.

COVID-19

The world also faced a COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, an issue the Minister of Trade and Development Cooperation had to contend with. More information on the impact of this pandemic on Dutch development policy can be found below.

Toeslagenaffaire (Allowance Affair)

In January 2021, the Rutte III cabinet fell due to the Toeslagenaffaire, two months before the new elections. This made Sigrid Kaag the caretaker Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. After the March elections, the formation process was challenging, leading Kaag to retain her position post-election. Following changes in the caretaker cabinet, she also became the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

On August 10, in her role as the caretaker Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Kaag was succeeded by Tom de Bruijn. After the parliament passed a motion of censure in September 2021 due to the slow evacuation in Afghanistan, Kaag resigned as the caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs. In this role, she was temporarily succeeded by Tom de Bruijn until Ben Knapen took over on September 24.

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