Romania has become the first country to obtain associate membership of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the international forum responsible for coordinating official development assistance to developing countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) announced on Friday.

According to an MAE release, Romania's accession to the Development Assistance Committee follows the steady increase in official development assistance provided by our country in recent years, as well as the 'strengthening of Romania's profile as a consistent, predictable and credible donor at international level.'

'This status confirms a major shift in mindset and position for our country: Romania is no longer a state that only waits for support, but a nation strong and mature enough to provide aid to those in need. The fact that we are the first country accepted as an associate member of this committee shows that international partners regard us with confidence and respect. Basically, we have demonstrated that we are ready to sit at the same table with the world's major economies and decide together how to build a safer future,' Foreign Affairs Minister Oana Toiu said, according to the quoted source.

The MAE mentioned that in 2024, the total value of official development assistance provided by Romania reached 539.1 million US dollars, representing 0.16 percent of gross national income, the highest level recorded by the country to date.

'This increase was mainly driven by higher contributions at the multilateral level, particularly through allocations to the European Union's development budget. Romania's policy on international development cooperation is based on the development needs of partner countries and on the available national expertise and capacities, with a focus on areas such as institutional development, green transition, environmental protection and climate change mitigation, as well as human development,' the quoted source states.

According to the MAE, the official development assistance activities are targeted at ten countries in the extended Black Sea region, the Western Balkans, the Middle East and Africa, with the Republic of Moldova being Romania's priority partner.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry also stated that Romania actively supports the European path of its neighbouring state, including within the framework of the Strategic Partnership for the European integration of the Republic of Moldova.

'Associate membership of the OECD Development Assistance Committee provides Romania with the opportunity to make more effective use of its comparative advantages and experience as a donor, while also contributing to the strengthening and streamlining of the national system for providing official development assistance and increasing the impact of international development cooperation actions for the benefit of partner countries,' the MFA mentioned.

The OECD Development Assistance Committee was established in 1961, originating from the Development Assistance Group created in 1960 within the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC).

The committee brings together the world's main providers of official development assistance, aiming to promote development cooperation and policies which contribute to sustainable development, poverty reduction, decreased inequalities and improved living standards in developing countries, the MAE added. AGERPRES(RO - writing by: Alina Novaceanu; EN - writing by: Rodica State)