Thread by @AlexandreDayant

Today, we are releasing the 2022 edition of the @Lowyinstitute Pacific Aid Map, the most comprehensive database of aid and development flows to the #Pacific ever assembled. Here are our key findings 1/

Check it out on pacificaidmap.lowyinstitute.org

Development financing in the #Pacific reached a new record in 2020. With more than US$4 billion, aid & development financing has increased by 47% from 2019, primarily driven by a surge in new concessional loans. Tourist dependent economies saw the largest relative increases 2/

There has been a dramatic reduction in new #Chinese financing to the #Pacific over the past several years and little visible specific response to the pandemic 3/

This does not mean that #China's influence is waning nor that it has given up on using development assistance to cement relationships in the region. While there are fewer loans overall, Chinese aid is ramping up in Kiribati and Solomon Islands, its latest two diplomatic allies 4/

#COVID19 projects are responsible for the increase of development financing in 2020. In fact, most #Pacific development partners experienced a reduction in their aid delivery in 2020 due to implementation limitation caused by border closure and health restriction measures 5/

The pandemic has led to greater direct budget support for Pacific governments whose economies have come under severe pressure due to #COVID19. This will likely have to continue for some time given the weak outlook for economic recovery in the region 6/

Australia is poised to become an increasingly prominent lender to the Pacific at a time when debt sustainability in the region is already precarious. Considerable care will be required in implementing new loans to avoid contributing to future debt problems in the region 7/

Overall, we’re very happy this new research is out. Thank you to @RolandMRajah, @JiaDeng569589 and Riley Duke for their help and support.

All the underlying data is available on the website. If you have any question, feel free to reach out! /ENDS
pacificaidmap.lowyinstitute.org