Brussels, 09/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - With regard to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), the distance between words and deeds is a long one. The European Commission observed during the 4 April publication of OECD development aid figures that European aid had fallen in 2007 for the first time to 0.38% of GNP (EUROPE 9637). Although the EU is still the biggest aid donor with €46bn in 2007, critical analysis should not ignore, points out Development Commission Louis Michel, that the Commission believes it is not a good time to sit back on its laurel. On the contrary, a new boost is needed to increase aid.
The European Commission communication, “The EU - a global partner for development Speeding up progress towards the Millennium Development Goals” adopted on Wednesday 9 April (EUROPE 9634), encourages member states, with timetables to back them up, to provide the EU with a boost to keep its promise in 2005 at the G8 Gleneagles summit, to bring the average level of European PDA to 0.56% of GDP in 2010, as a stage towards reaching 0.7% in 2015. To reduce poverty by half in the world by 2015, it is now or never that they need to mobilise adequate financial resources, points out the Commission. Especially given that 2008 is a crucial year for UN's mid term progress review for MDG, to be made at the high level ministerial forum (Accra, Ghana, 2-4 September 2008). As well as the volume of development aid, the communication also highlights measures for improving aid and progress on trade aid (member states, together only accounted for €641.44 million in 2006 and therefore have to increase their aid by 56% to reach the annual billion promised for 2010, when the European Commission is nearing its goal). Aid efficiency and increased coherence in the EU's different politics on PDA targets are also at the heart of the concerns and recommendations for action. The stakes are high because although progress was made in 2000 to reach the eight MDG on poverty eradication, promotion of human and social development and sustainable development respecting the environment throughout the whole world, from sub-Saharan Africa where 40% of the population still lives on less than a dollar a day and where they experience enormous difficulties. Attaining the MDG is a collective responsibility and the Commission stresses that not attaining them would be a disaster for developing countries, as well as a failure for Europe and a threat to global stability.
Addressing the press, José Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission said, “today we have a serious problem”. While we discuss how to reach the MDG, aid figures are worrying. Without the necessary money, we won't be able to achieve our goals”. The message to member states is simple, “we agree on the importance of these MDG, so explain your plans on a multiannual basis on how you will meet your commitments”. The General Affairs/Development Council on 26-27 May and the European Council in June will look at this question to speed up the pace, Barroso explained. He also said that if commitments are confirmed, the EU will provide 90% of the 25 billion promised by the G8 to Africa. The G8 summit in Japan in July, the conferences of Accra and New York in September and Doha 20 November-1st December, will provide other occasions to boost MDG at an international scale but we will have to begin at home, declared Barroso.
Louis Michel, “2008 will create a credibility test for the international community and particularly for the EU with regard to the ambitious goals they signed up to in 2005”. Michel added, “We are asking for official reconfirmation of the aid targets and to guarantee respect and feasibility we are proposing that member states establish multiannual calendars for 2010-15”. 12 member states have come up with a calendar and this exercise has proved their efficiency, he added, quoting the example of Spain. The efficiency, of aid will have to be done through a better division of work between donors and doubling the budget, “a modern concept, which moves from paternalistic and distrustful aid to that based on good governance and trust”. Aid coherency in EU policies: the Commissioner insisted on the importance of an alliance in fighting against climate change in developing countries and correcting the “perverse effects” of European agricultural and fisheries policies. The Commission is also proposing to: help developing countries grasp new opportunities in the growing biofuels markets to fight against poverty while closely following the impact of such a policy on food shortages, access to land and the environment; measures to slow down the brain drain in developing countries in key sectors like health, education and research; - to improve the coordination of European research activities in favour of development. In the view of the commissioner, the communication provides the Commission with a genuine "concrete political argument to convince the Council that there is no excuse not to keep promises".
In the view of Actionaid, "the ambition laid down by the Commission's package is most welcome, but there is still an urgent need for measurable and concrete objectives at EU level". The NGO is also concerned at the possible response to the current food crisis. "In Africa, hunger is increasing. More than 40% of Africans do not even have access to enough food on a day by day basis. If Europe takes the MDGs seriously, the fight against hunger must be won as a priority", said Ivy Kakiiza, speaking on behalf of this NGO. (A.N.)