Statement by Jozef Síkela at the 113th Meeting of the Development Committee on April 16, 2026

Overview & Synopsis

This statement, delivered by Jozef Síkela, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, to the 113th Meeting of the Development Committee on April 16, 2026, outlines the European Union’s response to a global context defined by heightened volatility, geopolitical conflict, weaponised dependencies, and accelerating climate, poverty, and inequality challenges. It reaffirms the EU’s firm commitment to a rules‑based multilateral system and underscores the central role of the World Bank Group (WBG) and Multilateral Development Banks in delivering global solutions at scale. The statement reiterates the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and reconstruction, sustained engagement in the Middle East in support of peace, humanitarian access, and a two‑state solution, and backing for inclusive political transitions in fragile contexts such as Syria, while calling for restraint, civilian protection, and respect for international law in Iran. The EU highlights its role as the world’s largest provider of development assistance and a leading contributor to IDA, and calls on MDBs to continue implementing the G20 Roadmap for a bigger, better, and more effective system. It commends the WBG’s Evolution Roadmap reforms and urges sustained ambition on climate action, water resilience, private‑sector development, quality employment, domestic resource mobilisation, and gender equality. The statement also highlights the EU’s Global Gateway strategy as a vehicle for mobilising large‑scale public‑private investment in infrastructure, skills, and sustainable growth, concluding with a call for collective responsibility and deeper multilateral cooperation to meet global development needs.