It has been two years since the Commission last had the opportunity to provide an update to this Assembly.
I first wish to place on record my sincere thanks to our volunteer Commissioners. They receive no remuneration, yet dedicate considerable time and expertise to ensuring that the Bailiwick's international development funding is used effectively, responsibly, and transparently. Their commitment helps deliver life-changing, and in some cases life-saving, support to some of the world's poorest communities.
I would also like to thank the Assembly for its unanimous support in appointing three new Commissioners earlier this year.
As well as having oversight of the Commission as a whole, the Commissioners scrutinise over 230 grant applications each year. Only around one-third of applications receive support. Commissioners assist in these difficult decisions, ensuring that the selected projects are the highest quality, most sustainable and provide long-lasting impact.
Equally important is the Commission's commitment to safeguarding public funds. Through extensive due diligence and ongoing monitoring, the Commission seeks to ensure that every pound allocated reaches its intended purpose and is protected from misuse.
There have been significant changes in the international aid sector over the last two years, as international development charities face unprecedented challenges following substantial reductions in aid budgets, including cuts to USAID and UK Official Development Assistance. The resulting programme closures, staffing reductions, and increasing competition for funding have had a devastating impact on vulnerable communities. Millions of people now face reduced access to nutrition, clean water, sanitation, healthcare, education, and humanitarian assistance.
Against that backdrop, Guernsey's contribution matters more than ever.
While our contribution may be modest compared with larger nations, its impact is significant. The Commission focuses on areas where need is greatest and relatively small investments can achieve transformational results.
The primary reason cited for reductions in UK aid spending was the need to increase defence expenditure, a challenge that Guernsey does not face directly. However, even after UK aid reductions, Guernsey's spending on international development as a proportion of GDP remains lower than that of the UK. This serves as a reminder that there remains scope for us to strengthen our contribution to the world's most vulnerable communities.
Madam, the Commission's work is guided by a clear principle: to direct limited resources to achieve the greatest impact.
For that reason, the Commission places particular emphasis on supporting countries within the lowest quartile of the United Nations Human Development Index – the UN HDI. This measure assesses development through indicators including health, education, and income. By focusing on countries at the bottom of the UN HDI, the Commission seeks to ensure that funding reaches those facing the greatest levels of poverty and disadvantage.
This policy often requires difficult decisions. When considering applications for Emergency Relief Awards, the Commission must consider where its assistance can add the greatest value and where alternative aid may already be available.
For example, this year the Commission awarded a £50,000 Emergency Relief Award to the charity Medair to support its Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The funding enabled the purchase of Personal Protective Equipment for health workers and volunteers helping to contain the outbreak and save lives. The DRC is ranked 171st out of 193 countries on the UN HDI, placing it within the poorest countries in the world.
By contrast, the Commission did not contribute to the devastating Venezuelan earthquake response. Not because the need was any less significant. Rather, Venezuela ranks considerably higher on the UN HDI and the response attracted substantial international support. While a difficult decision, the Commission has a responsibility to target resources where Guernsey's contribution can make the most difference.
The Commission’s main focus is on single year and multi-year sustainable projects which account for 86% of our budget. One example is a single year project undertaken by Charity CAMFED International to provide boreholes, pumps and handwashing stations at 11 schools in Malawi. This will benefit 25,000 people for the next five years alone. The project also included hygiene training and support for school vegetable gardens. The total cost was £60,000 - or £2.40 per beneficiary. Installing water and hygiene facilities at schools is not just about providing essential services. The extended impact is improved health, higher overall school attendance, greater gender equality leading to better educational outcomes.
Our final category of grants is Community Partnerships, which provide an opportunity for local groups raising money for projects or emergencies in developing countries to apply for matched funding from the Commission. These awards help strengthen local public engagement with international development by supporting those most in need.
Madam, the Commission also continues to improve the way it works.
Since becoming President, I have been keen to strengthen our focus on demonstrating our impact. Each year the Commission supports around 70 to 80 development projects and emergency responses across multiple countries and sectors making overall impact harder to demonstrate.
For that reason, we are collecting and analysing more impact data and publishing this information within our Annual Reports and public communications.
The Commission now measures all projects against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, improve health and education, promote equality and protect the environment.
Alongside this, we are introducing direct impact indicators across our portfolio. These include measures such as the number of healthcare facilities supported, water supply systems installed, and individuals benefiting from education.
These statistics will improve accountability, ensuring Islanders can clearly see the positive impact their contribution is making to the world’s poorest communities.Islanders can have confidence that public resources are delivering meaningful and lasting results.
The Commission has also embraced innovation and efficiency in its own operations.
We recently successfully introduced a new online Grant Management System. A more efficient process for assessing increasing numbers of applications and monitoring projects became necessary.
Importantly, this improvement has allowed the Commission to maintain a high standard of service and oversight without requiring additional staffing resources.
As part of our effort to support the resolution to reduce costs, for the 2027 Budget,the Commission proposed that the 2026 base figure is reduced by 1%prior to applying inflation and the States direction for overseas aid giving to reach 0.2% of GDP by 2030.
Madam, another significant achievement during this period has been the agreement to expand of the States of Guernsey's Development Impact Fund through a proposal agreed by the Policy & Resources Committee.
Impact investing seeks to generate positive social and environmental outcomes alongside financial returns. The expansion of the Fund from approximately £750,000 to around £7 million over the coming years will significantly increase the States' ability to contribute to international development objectives without requiring additional taxpayer funding.
This growth will be achieved through the reallocation of investments within the States' General Investment Portfolio, thereby delivering sustainable solutions to global challenges while continuing to manage public funds responsibly.
The initiative also reflects Guernsey's growing reputation as a centre for responsible and sustainable finance.
The Commission also continues to have responsibility for promoting Fairtrade alongside the volunteer Fairtrade Guernsey Steering Group.I am proud that 2026 marks Guernsey’s 20th anniversary as a Fairtrade Island.
Madam, many of the crises the Commission responds to are driven by conflict, instability, and displacement. Add to these the growing impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, disease, and natural disasters.
While Guernsey cannot solve these problems alone, we can decide how we respond to them.
We can choose to support practical solutions that save lives, create opportunity, and build resilience.
Through careful stewardship of public funds, rigorous assessment of need, a clear focus on the world's poorest countries, and an increasing emphasis on measurable impact, the Overseas Aid & Development Commission shows that even a small jurisdiction can make a meaningful contribution to addressing global challenges.
I therefore commend the work of the Commission to the Assembly and thank Members for their continued support.