EU leaders sign blueprint for future European development policy

(BRUSSELS) - The EU signed a 'New European Consensus on Development' Wednesday, a strategic vision for European development policy with the aim of eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development.

The strategy, signed at the annual two-day European Development Days by the presidents of the EU institutions, constitutes a comprehensive common framework for European development cooperation. For the first time, it applies to all European Union Institutions and Member States, which commit to work more closely together.

The Consensus reaffirms that poverty eradication remains the primary objective of European development policy. It fully integrates the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.

European leaders committed to three areas:

• They recognise the strong inter-linkages between the different elements of such action. This includes development and peace and security, humanitarian aid, migration, environment and climate, as well as cross cutting-elements, such as: youth; gender equality; mobility and migration; sustainable energy and climate change; investment and trade; good governance, democracy, the rule of law and human rights; innovative engagement with more advanced developing countries; and mobilising and using domestic resources.
• The new Consensus furthermore takes a comprehensive approach to means of implementation, combining traditional development aid with other resources, as well as sound policies and a strengthened approach to policy coherence, recalling that EU development cooperation always has to be seen in the context of Europe's partner countries' own efforts. The Consensus provides the basis for the EU and its Member States to engage in more innovative forms of development financing, leveraging private sector investments and mobilising additional domestic resources for development.
• The EU and its Member States will create better-tailored partnerships with a broader range of stakeholders, including civil society, and partner countries at all stages of development. They will further improve their implementation on the ground by working better together and taking into account their respective comparative advantages.

As the world's biggest provider of Official Development Assistance, Europe is a global leader in development. The new Consensus is the EU's response to global trends and challenges, and aligns EU external action to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The 2030 Agenda, adopted by the international community in September 2015, includes the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and associated targets, which run to 2030. Along with the other international summits and conferences held in 2015 in Addis Ababa and in Paris, the international community has an ambitious new frame for all countries to work together on shared challenges. For the first time, the SDGs are universally applicable to all countries and the EU is committed to be a frontrunner in implementing them.

A Joint Statement by the Council and the representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission: A new European Consensus on development: Our World, Our Dignity, Our Future

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Communication on a new European Consensus on development

New European Consensus on Development - background guide