On Wednesday 7 June, the European Consensus on Development (a framework setting out the priorities for the EU's 2030 development policy) was formally launched in Brussels in the form of a joint statement from the three competent EU institutions.
The document updates the 2006 consensus in order to adapt it to the new global challenges of security, migration and climate change, and to align it with the EU's future policy on the universal sustainable development goals (SDG).
As planned, it was signed at the highest level during the European Development Days (EDD 2017), although some political groups at the European Parliament, who are disappointed with its content, would have preferred more time to be taken on improving it by taking greater account of their expectations (see EUROPE 11800).
Those who signed the joint statement were Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat (on behalf of the EU member states), European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, and High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and European Commission Vice-President Federica Mogherini. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)