27/11/2020
The SECI, Ángeles Moreno Bau, addressed the entire staff to show her commitment to the institution and underline the key role FIIAPP plays in cooperation
The Secretary of State for International Cooperation together with the director of FIIAPP
The Secretary of State for International Cooperation (SECI), Ángeles Moreno Bau, visited the FIIAPP headquarters, where she was received by the director of the Foundation, Anna Terrón, and had the opportunity to address the staff with regard to FIIAPP’s key role in Spanish foreign action, as well as highlighting the institution’s contribution to the Spanish and European response to the pandemic through cooperation.
During her speech, the Secretary of State highlighted the fundamental work of FIIAPP through regional programmes in Latin America, European cooperation projects in Africa and twinning projects in neighbouring countries. A body of work with public administrations that constitutes a vigorous contribution by FIIAPP to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.
In addition, in the current context of the health crisis, the SECI explained that FIIAPP has contributed to reinforcing Spain’s response to the pandemic through cooperation, by strengthening ties with partner countries within the framework of “Team Europe”.
FIIAPP has registered 107 “COVID initiatives” in matters such as migration, social cohesion, providing support for the most vulnerable people, governance and the security-development nexus with the aim of strengthening the response to the pandemic without leaving anyone behind.
In this sense, the SECI highlighted the relevance of the COVID19 Tables in Ecuador and Costa Rica, two highly rewarding exercises in dialogue, which are serving to identify the specific needs of each country and provide a joint response to the pandemic. “The role FIIAPP plays in galvanising Spanish administrations and as an element of foreign action, through policy dialogue, is fundamental,” stated the SECI.
In addition, the diplomat spoke with staff to address their uncertainties and comment on the response of Spanish Cooperation to COVID19, ‘a rapid and coordinated response by all institutions’ based on providing a multilateral response to challenges such as the strengthening of health systems, the digital divide, access to education, gender equality and social cohesion.
On the other hand, Ángeles Moreno Bau, had the opportunity to speak about the reform of Spanish Cooperation: “We are working on the review of the system and the institutional structure, and on the renewal of legislation on cooperation and the statute of the aid worker; all administrations are involved in the process.”
Finally, the director of FIIAPP and the SECI had the opportunity to talk about the fundamental role of FIIAPP in the projection of Spanish administrations towards partner countries. They also emphasised the added value of the Foundation through the specialisation in public technical assistance and the mobilisation of public personnel, turning civil servants into cooperating partners, a highly rewarding exercise for both the partner administrations and the Spanish Administration.
