Upon the instigation of HRH Prince Albert II, the Principality of Monaco considerably increased its effort towards international cooperation and development.
The Princely government committed to increase by 25% the Public Aid to Development per year to reach the objective of 0,7% of Gross National Income at least in 2015. The Public Aid to Development reached 6.700.000 Euros in 2008, and should reach more than 8 millions Euros in 2009. The Direction for International Cooperation of the Princely Government is in charge of implementing the policy dedicated to cooperation development for the Government. The cooperation is implemented over two axis:

• A bilateral cooperation (States partnerships, local authorities and NGOs) ;
• A bilateral cooperation with the support of International Organizations (UNDP, WHO, HCR, UNAIDS, UNCCD, IOF…).

Its priority for intervention lies in the fight against poverty. Its commitment shows itself by the will to work mainly with developing countries among the most discriminated, usually named Least developped countries (LDC). In 2009 :

• More than 100 projects will be planned in the 23 partner countries
• More than 70% of Public Aid to Development will be devoted to LDC in the scope of bilateral cooperation;