Taiwan plans to allocate NT$3 billion more to its foreign aid agency in 2026 – Focus Taiwan

Report on Taiwan’s Enhanced Commitment to Global Sustainable Development Goals

Increased Funding for International Development Assistance

A report submitted to the Legislature by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung outlines a plan to increase funding for Taiwan’s primary foreign aid agency, the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF). This initiative is part of a strategic effort to enhance Taiwan’s contribution to global development partnerships, a core component of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Proposed Funding Increase: An additional NT$3 billion is allocated for TaiwanICDF for the 2026 fiscal year.
• Current Funding Level: TaiwanICDF operates with approximately NT$12.4 billion.
• Total MOFA Budget Proposal: The increase is part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ (MOFA) overall budget proposal of NT$41.5 billion for 2026.

Aligning with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The mission of TaiwanICDF is intrinsically linked to the 2030 Agenda. The increased budget will directly support projects that advance multiple SDGs in partner nations.

• Socio-economic Development: Initiatives target SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by fostering sustainable economic opportunities.
• Human Resource Development: Programs contribute to SDG 4 (Quality Education) by building local capacity and skills.
• Technical Cooperation: Cross-sectoral projects, involving agencies like the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, address SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
• Financial Assistance & Humanitarian Aid: These efforts provide critical support for various SDGs, reinforcing Taiwan’s role as a partner in global development.

Addressing the Official Development Assistance (ODA) Gap to Strengthen SDG 17

The report highlights a significant gap between Taiwan’s current ODA contributions and internationally recognized targets, underscoring the need for increased investment to fulfill its commitment to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

1. Original Government Pledge: NT$30 billion.
2. Initial Allocation (1996): NT$11.6 billion.
3. Current Funding Shortfall: NT$17.5 billion.

This historical funding shortfall has resulted in Taiwan’s ODA expenditure being comparatively low.

• United Nations Target: 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI).
• Taiwan’s Contribution (2024): 0.049% of GNI.
• Regional Comparisons: Japan (0.39%), South Korea (0.21%), and Australia (0.19%).

The proposed NT$3 billion increase represents a concrete step toward closing this gap and strengthening Taiwan’s capacity as a reliable international development partner in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals.

1. SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article’s central theme is Taiwan’s commitment to international development assistance and its efforts to increase funding for its foreign aid agency, TaiwanICDF. This directly aligns with SDG 17, which focuses on strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development. The text explicitly discusses “official development assistance (ODA),” “assisting developing countries,” and providing “financial assistance, and humanitarian aid,” which are core components of global partnerships.

2. Specific Targets Identified

Target 17.2: Developed countries to implement fully their official development assistance commitments

• The article directly addresses this target by highlighting Taiwan’s spending on official development assistance (ODA). It states, “Taiwan spent only around 0.049 percent of its gross national income (GNI) on official development assistance (ODA) in 2024, far below the 0.7 percent suggested by the United Nations.” This comparison explicitly references the internationally agreed-upon ODA/GNI target central to Target 17.2.

Target 17.3: Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources

• This target is addressed through the government’s plan to increase its foreign aid budget. The article mentions that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs “is planning to increase funding to its foreign aid agency next year by NT$3 billion” and has “allocated an additional NT$3 billion to TaiwanICDF for fiscal year 2026 to offer greater assistance to Taiwan’s needy partners.” This action represents a direct effort to mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

Indicator 17.2.1: Net official development assistance, total and to least developed countries, as a proportion of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee donors’ gross national income (GNI)

• This indicator is explicitly mentioned and quantified in the article. The text provides the exact figure for Taiwan: “0.049 percent of its gross national income (GNI) on official development assistance (ODA) in 2024.” It further uses this indicator to compare Taiwan’s performance with other countries like Japan (0.39%), South Korea (0.21%), and Australia (0.19%), and against the UN’s 0.7% benchmark.

Indicator 17.3.1: Additional financial resources mobilized for developing countries from multiple sources

• While the indicator number is not stated, the data to measure it is clearly implied. The article specifies the amount of additional financial resources being mobilized: “an additional NT$3 billion to TaiwanICDF for fiscal year 2026.” This figure serves as a direct measure of progress toward mobilizing financial resources for partner countries, which is the essence of Indicator 17.3.1.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: focustaiwan.tw