Development cooperation is an important part of foreign policy. The Netherlands supports development in only a few countries, helping them reduce poverty and improve their economies sustainably. Essential to these objectives are good health care, good education available to all, fair access to international markets, lower debt burdens, and a healthy environment. The recipient countries themselves choose the sectors that will receive money, though development priorities are agreed internationally. The priorities include good governance, poverty reduction, women and development, institution building, and the environment.