Brussels, 14/06/2016 (Agence Europe) - The 10th edition of the European Development Days (EDDs) will convene in Brussels (Tour et Taxis) on 15 and 16 June under the theme “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Action: Our World, Our Dignity, Our Future” and will focus on youth, inviting young people aged 21 to 26 from around the world to join the debate on the future of international development cooperation.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will speak at the opening of this internationally important event that will focus on turning the SDGs adopted in New York last September into reality.
For its 10th year, Europe's largest development forum is expecting record attendance. Over 6,000 people - heads of state, representatives of international financial organisations and institutions, experts and members of civil society organisations - are likely to attend this annual event. Debates in the 120 main sessions will focus on implementing the 17 sustainable development goals, building on the 5 vital “P”s - Partnership, Peace, Prosperity, Planet and People - of the preamble to the UN's 2030 Agenda.
“This is Europe's open invitation to the world to reflect with us how our policies, partnerships and resources can best be put into use to support global development, eradicate poverty once and for all, and shift our planet onto a sustainable, inclusive and prosperous path”, said International Cooperation and Development Commissioner Neven Mimica in a press release on Tuesday 14 June.
European Council President Donald Tusk, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Commission Vice-President Federica Mogherini and a number of European Commissioners - Jyrki Katainen, Andrus Ansip, Cecilia Malmström, Miguel Arias Cañete, Karmenu Vella, Dimitris Avramopoulos and Christos Stylianides - will be among those taking part. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)