Brussels, 05/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - 2015, the deadline for the millennium development goals (MDG) to be achieved, is a critical year for the negotiation of the universal global sustainable development objectives which will follow on from them. To serve as a basis for the position to be defended by the EU in the next stages of this international discussion, which is aiming to conclude in September of this year, the European Commission on Thursday 5 February clarified its own vision of the efforts to be made for all the countries of the world - including the countries of the European Union.
Its communication on a Global Partnership for Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development after 2015 lists the main principles to guide this future partnership and the key components required for its implementation, in terms of national European actions, but also in terms of funding. Because at one and the same time, preparations must be made for the third UN conference on the financing of development, to be held in Addis Ababa in July 2015, and talks are to continue with the international partners to decide on the global programme for post-2015, in New York in September 2015, at the 69th UN General Assembly (see EUROPE 11219 and 11217).
“The EU will continue to engage constructively with its partners during the upcoming negotiations and stands ready to play its full part in the implementation of this agenda”, stresses Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the Commission, in a press release.
Neven Mimica, the commissioner for international cooperation and development, told the European press that the future framework must be universal and apply to all, on the basis of a partnership between all countries, civil society and the private sector. All countries must make a fair contribution to global efforts and be accountable to their citizens and the international community. The countries, irrespective of their stage of development, must commit themselves and take on their responsibilities, and political commitment at the highest level will be required. Human rights, good governance and the primacy of the law, support for democratic institutions, the participation of all, non-discrimination and gender equality will be the main founding principles of the framework.
“Our message is that this year, a paradigm shift is needed to rationalise and stimulate efforts at global level. Many joint efforts must be made to achieve sustainable development: eradicating poverty, ensuring sustainable and inclusive development, safeguarding the protection of all human rights and fundamental values. We also need good governance and a good mix of policies”, the Commissioner said.
The Commission is making proposals as to how all countries will contribute, but also on a follow-up of the process. Funding will require the judicious use of public funding, which will continue to play a key role in aid to developing countries. Repeating the appeal by the UN Secretary General, the Commission calls on all developed countries to earmark 0.7% of their GNI for public development aid and proposes that all middle-income countries of the higher tranche and all emerging economies increase their contribution and, as the EU has already done, set themselves specific objectives and timetables. “However, other policies can have their part to play, such as the trade policy, science and technology, use of the private sector and channelling the positive effects of migration”, said Mimica.
As regards sustainable development, the communication lists what still needs to be done: mobilising the private sector, identifying the most sustainable production cycles, sticking to the EU's commitments and following these up. With regard to this, the Commission is looking at possible options for surveillance, responsibilities and the revision of targets.
Karmenu Vella, the European commissioner for the environment and maritime affairs, said that the protection of water, oceans, flora and fauna are vital to help eradicate poverty and are the EU's sustainable development objective, as should be the case at global level. “Climate change and the loss of biodiversity have reached an historic level, and the poorest are the hardest hit. We must commit to an unprecedented path and work on the three dimensions of sustainable development”, he said. The European Commission stresses that the EU can help countries just starting out in the process of industrialisation not to make the same mistakes as the industrialised countries did in the past, by offering innovative and more robust technologies. “The EU can be the global leader in sustainable industrialisation and the global leader in the governance of the oceans”. (AN)