Pedro Sánchez reinforces Spain's commitment to international cooperation as a pillar of its foreign action

Headquarters of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), Madrid

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during his speech at the event organized by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECID) to commemorate Aid workers' day (Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, officially opened the commemorative event celebrating Aid Workers' Day, held at the headquarters of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). The event, which was also attended by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, brought together 220 representatives of NGOs, administrations, regional and local cooperation agencies and universities. As part of the event, the President of the Government of Spain held a conversation with six aid workers in conflict zones to learn first-hand about their experiences and perspectives.

During his speech, the President paid tribute to the aid workers, whom he described as "the real driving force behind cooperation". He conveyed to them the recognition of "a whole country proud of your work" and thanked them for being where they are most needed: "Thank you for saving lives, for rebuilding communities, for offering hope in a time of such uncertainty".

Pedro Sánchez argued that investing in cooperation is not only a moral imperative, but also the best guarantee of a safer and more stable world. "It's about protecting our sons and daughters. It's about taking care of the present and future of Spain", he stressed.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during his meeting with a group of aid workers | Pedro Sánchez inaugura un acto con motivo del Día de las personas cooperantes

A government committed to cooperation

The President of the Government of Spain recalled that in 2024, the Government of Spain allocated 4 billion euros to international cooperation, 12% more than the previous year. He also stressed that the AECID's budget has doubled to 700 million euros and that Spain's goal is to spend 0.7% of Gross National Income on Official Development Assistance by 2030, as it reaffirmed at the recent United Nations International Conference on Financing for Development, held in Seville.

He also explained that the reform of the cooperation system, based on the new Law on Cooperation for Sustainable Development and Global Solidarity, which provides the Spanish model with a renewed framework and a reinforced budgetary commitment, will be completed in the coming weeks. In addition, in 2026, work will begin on drawing up a Spanish Development Cooperation Peacebuilding Strategy, in order to strengthen our country's role in conflict prevention, mediation and support for reconciliation processes.

New package of measures to tackle genocide in Gaza

The President of the Government of Spain stressed that what is happening in Gaza can only be described with one word: genocide. He also stressed that Spain "will not turn a blind eye to barbarism, nor will it participate in the daily exercise of trivialising evil".

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during his speech at the event organized by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECID) to commemorate Aid workers' day | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

Pedro Sánchez highlighted the new package of measures to act against the genocide in Gaza, presented today, which includes three main lines of action: stopping arms from reaching Israel by means of an embargo and a ban on the transit of fuel and military aircraft through Spanish territory, and acting against accomplices by barring their entry to Spain and limiting the import of products from illegal settlements. It also strengthens support for the Palestinian people with further support for the Palestinian Authority, an increase in humanitarian aid to 150 million euros by 2026 and an additional 10 million euros for UNRWA.

The President of the Government of Spain recalled that these measures are in addition to those already adopted by Spain in the last two years, including the recognition of the State of Palestine last May, support for the two-state solution, a ban on the purchase and sale of arms to Israel and the request to suspend the association agreement with the European Union. He also recalled the reinforcement of humanitarian aid, the admission of Gazan children for treatment in Spanish hospitals, support for the International Criminal Court's investigation into war crimes in Palestine and the promotion of the United Nations General Assembly resolution of last June to demand an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and unrestricted access to humanitarian aid.

Non official translation