Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS)

Office for International Cooperation (BIS)

BIS is a policy section and, as such, plays a strategic, advisory, coordinating and linking role with regard to development aid issues that cut across multiple policy themes or departments. It signals trends in development and translates these into strategic policy advice. In addition, BIS develops result-based frameworks for the design and implementation of development aid, and works to improve monitoring and strengthen learning capacity. In doing so it enhances the efficiency of DGIS’s activities.

Sustainable Economic Development Department (DDE)

DDE focuses on promoting sustainable economic growth and self-reliance as an engine for combating poverty in developing countries. Key elements of this task include strengthening the local enterprise climate and entrepreneurship in low- and middle-income countries, and encouraging contributions to these efforts from the Dutch business community. The director of DDE is also Ambassador for Business and Development.

Stabilisation and Humanitarian Aid Department (DSH)

DSH works to foster a stable world. Its remit is to promote peaceful, just societies and strong, inclusive institutions, and its focus areas include migration and displacement, the reception of refugees in the region and humanitarian assistance.

The Migration and Displacement Division is a part of DSH and is responsible for implementing external policy on migration cooperation. This deals with both the programmatic element and policy influencing at UN organisations, for example, as well as in regard to the EU’s external policy. DSH is also responsible for managing the Stability Fund, and consults with the Security Policy Department (DVB) in this regard.

Social Development Department (DSO)

DSO is responsible for social development in the context of foreign trade and development policy. It focuses in this regard on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), women’s rights and gender equality, civil society organisations, public participation and higher education programmes. DSO is also the first point of contact regarding the Netherlands’ integrated policy on young people. The Ambassador for Youth, Education and Work is therefore attached to DSO. The director of DSO is also the Ambassador for Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (AMVR).

The Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Task Force (TFVG) is also attached to DSO. The TFVG coordinates the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ international gender policy. TFVG focuses on four priorities:

• Increasing women’s leadership and their participation in political and other decision-making;
• Improving women’s economic autonomy and economic position;
• Tackling violence against women and girls;
• Strengthening women’s role in conflict prevention and peacebuilding, and protecting women and girls in conflict situations.

Inclusive Green Growth Department (IGG)

IGG works to establish and implement Dutch international policy on the themes of energy, climate change, water, food security, raw materials and the polar regions, and aspires to play a leading role in this regard. The director of IGG is also the Ambassador for Sustainable Development and the Ambassador for the Arctic.