The European Commission set out its views on 5 February on global efforts that will be needed to eradicate poverty and boost sustainable development. The Communication on a “Global Partnership for Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development after 2015” has been agreed with First Vice-President Frans Timmermans, who holds horizontal responsibility for sustainable development. While putting forward proposals on how the international community should organise its action to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals, it also shows how the EU and its Member States could contribute to the international effort.
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2015 is a pivotal year for global sustainable development. Through the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda which will succeed the Millennium Development Goals, the international community will respond to challenges facing the world today: eradicating poverty, achieving inclusive and sustainable development for present and future generations and ensuring the promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental values as the basis for peaceful and prosperous societies.
Overarching principles for the global partnership
The framework should be universal and apply to all, on the basis of a partnership between all countries, as well as with civil society and the private sector. All countries should contribute their fair share towards reaching the global goals, and should be held to account by their citizens and the international community. Political commitment at the highest level will be critical and countries at all stages of development must engage with and take responsibility for the implementation of the post-2015 agenda
The partnership should be based on universal values such as human rights, good governance, and the rule of law, support for democratic institutions, inclusiveness, non-discrimination, and gender equality. The Communication puts forward the key components that should form part of the global partnership: including, a conducive policy environment, capacity development, mobilisation and effective use of domestic and international public finance, making the most of trade and technology, harnessing the positive effects of migration as well as utilizing the private sector and natural resources effectively. It also stresses the need for a strong framework for monitoring, accountability and review at all levels.
The Communication confirms the Commission’s support for the UN Secretary General’s call that all developed countries should meet the UN target of 0.7% ODA/GNI and that upper middle-income countries and emerging economies should increase their contribution to international public financing and set specific targets and timelines to do so.
The Way Forward
The Communication will inform EU positions in preparations for the Third Financing for Development Conference in Addis Ababa in July 2015 and the Post-2015 UN Summit in New York in September 2015. Agreement on the post-2015 agenda will also have important implications for negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Communication: A Global Partnership for Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development after 2015
