Brussels, 26/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - In the opinion of MEPs, the eradication of poverty, the fight against all forms of inequality and the defence of human rights are some of the key objectives that should guide the post-2015 global development programme (which will take over from the millennium development goals - MDG). The MEPs decided this by a comfortable majority (541 votes in favour, 96 against and 29 abstentions) in Strasbourg on Tuesday 25 November, in a resolution setting out the European Parliament's requirements for the position the EU will defend at the international negotiations next year.
“By adopting this resolution in the European Parliament, we are sending a clear message to the Council. We want the Council to adopt a common position that will allow the EU to take a stand and be efficient in the global development framework negotiations next year. These negotiations will result in the new set of goals for the period after 2015”, said Davor Ivo Stier (EPP, Hungary), the rapporteur on this issue.
MEPs state that the eradication of poverty and the fight against inequality should be the underlying theme of the future global development agenda. In their view, the EU should work to ensure that a human rights-based approach and the right to development become the underpinning concepts of this agenda.
The Parliament notes that climate change measures and moving towards an energy-efficient and renewable-based economy can lead to great gains in poverty eradication. The resolution also underlines that the health sector can contribute to the economic and social development of societies.
MEPs urge the European Commission to promote the priority of eliminating inequalities in access to health and education, and they call on the EU to support a stand-alone goal on gender equality.
The Parliament urges the EU member states to respect the commitment they have taken of allocating at least 0.7% of GNI to official development assistance, “including at least 0.2% to least developed countries”. The Parliament also reiterates that fighting corruption, illicit flows of capital and harmful tax structures should be an “overriding priority in financing development”. (AN)