The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is proposing EU expertise and financial resources to promote a post-Covid-19 global recovery plan aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She delivered this message by videoconference at the high-level event on financing for development, organised by the United Nations on Thursday, 28 May.
“We are putting together the biggest package worldwide that links investment for recovery to the sustainable development spirit”, she said, referring to the EU's €750 billion economic recovery plan presented the day before.
According to her, the Coronavirus crisis makes SDGs more crucial than ever in addressing growing inequalities, the digital divide and the climate crisis. “We need a global recovery initiative that links investment and debt relief to the Sustainable Development Goals”.
Beyond the €23 billion of European support to vulnerable countries (see EUROPE 12464/13) and the €9.5 billion in pledges raised so far to develop, produce and deploy vaccines and treatments worldwide, “Europe is ready to put on the table expertise and resources, with both traditional and innovative financing instruments”, Ms von der Leyen assured. However, she warned, it will require “a green recovery, a digital recovery, a just and resilient recovery”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)