At a time that Albares defines as “complex for peace and for the values of multilateralism and cooperation", the Minister highlighted the Government's commitment to strengthening cooperation, “we are not retreating, we are going to continue growing".
According to data collected by the AECID, there are 2,317 people in Spain who have chosen to work professionally in international development cooperation and humanitarian action in 2025. This number includes the persons registered in the Spanish embassies and consulates in countries eligible to receive official development assistance (ODA) in accordance with the criteria defined by the OECD Development Assistance Committee.
“Today we pay tribute to the men and women who represent the best of our society throughout the world: solidarity, a commitment to service others, the commitment to a fairer world, a more sustainable world, and a peaceful world", said Albares, who acknowledged that “the Government and Spanish society as a whole have great respect and gratitude for your work".
These professionals work in cooperation sectors ranging from inclusive economic development and democratic governance to humanitarian action, including work in basic services such as health, education and access to water and sanitation, or work in sectors such as rural development and food security, the environment and the fight against climate change, or support for the cultural sector from a development approach.
Aid workers profile
A study carried out this year by the AECID on the profile of aid workers shows that women working in development cooperation abroad make up 55% of all aid workers, and that 78% of these professionals are over 35 years of age. By autonomous communities of origin, the most numerous group corresponds to the Community of Madrid (21% of the total), followed by Andalusia and Catalonia (13%).
In terms of geographical areas of work, the majority of people working as aid workers (47%) are in Sub-Saharan Africa. The rest are distributed as follows: 17% are based in South America, 15% in Central America and the Caribbean, 7% in the Maghreb, 6% in Asia and the Middle East and Near East, and 2% in Europe. The most noteworthy countries in terms of the number of aid workers are Bolivia in the Americas, and Mozambique in Africa.
A high number - 36% - of Spaniards involved in development cooperation in ODA recipient nations work under the coordination of Non-Governmental Development Organisations. The second largest group (27%) are religious personnel, while 25% work for international cooperation agencies. 8% of the Spanish personnel deployed in the field are working for the AECID.
For images of the event, click here .
—NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION—