Brussels, 02/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - With its communication “A decent life for all: from vision to collective action”, which it presented on Monday 2 June, the European Commission aims to help the European Union to define its position for negotiations at the UN on the new global development framework for development beyond 2015, when the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) expire.
This communication lists the key principles on which this universal framework is to be based and indicates priority areas, together with potential targets for post-2015, as a step towards setting a small number of sustainable development targets.
“A new framework is needed to rally the international community to tackle the intertwined challenges of eliminating poverty, improving well-being while ensuring that progress is sustainable within planetary boundaries. The UN post-2015 agenda should be universal, and provide a comprehensive response for all”, said Janez Potocnik, European Commissioner for the Environment. European Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs added that “it is now recognised that, for the first time, the world has the technology and resources to eradicate extreme poverty in our lifetime” and ensure a decent life for all by 2030. This observation is central to the European and the UN vision of the future framework (see EUROPE 10930/10874).
The Commission argues that the three principles which should guide this future framework are: 1) universality and differentiation to take account of national circumstances; 2) a transformative agenda integrating the three dimensions of sustainable development whilst tackling new challenges; 3) responsibility, transparency and the effective monitoring of progress made.
The priority areas for which the Commission has proposed potential targets, to which no figures have so far been put, are: - eradicating extreme poverty; - tackling inequality; - food security and nutrition, sustainable agriculture; - health; - education; - gender equality and women's rights; - water and cleansing; - sustainable energy; - full employment and decent work for all; - inclusive and sustainable growth; - sustainable cities and human establishments; - sustainable consumption and production; - oceans and seas (sustainable management); - biodiversity and forests; - degradation of the soil, including desertification and drought; - human rights, rule of law, good governance and effective institutions; - peaceful societies.
This communication will be put for examination by the European Parliament and the Council. The EU's position will feed into preparation of the report of the Secretary General of the United Nations expected for this year. The conclusions of the UN working group are likely to be published in July. (AN)