The European Commission adopted on 5 February 2015 the Communication on a Global Partnership for Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development after 2015. The cardinal objective of this Communication, which was jointly prepared by the Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, and the Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, was to articulate the European Commission’s vision for a new global partnership for poverty eradication and sustainable development that will underpin the post-2015 development agenda. The post-2015 development agenda is a United Nations-led process established with the view to defining the future global development framework that will succeed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and will follow up on the outcome of the Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development which calls for the development of a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker pointed out: “2015 will be a critical year for the global community. Eradicating poverty and putting the world on a path of sustainable development are common challenges. Fulfilling these objectives is also in our common interest. The EU will continue to engage constructively with its partners during the upcoming negotiations and stands ready to play its full part in the implementation of this agenda“.
Building on a series of earlier EU contributions to the post-2015 process, provided mainly through Communications and Council conclusions, this Communication puts forward the Commission’s view on the fundamental principles and key components of the global partnership, and proposes a set of means for implementing successfully the post-2015 agenda, including:
• Establishing an enabling and conducive policy environment based on the principles of shared responsibility, mutual accountability, solidarity, inclusiveness, transparency, respective capacity and balanced integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development: Both domestically and internationally, a coherent amalgam of efficient policies, practices, institutions and resources is necessary to lay the groundwork for implementing effectively the post-2015 agenda. This includes good governance at all levels, full involvement of civil society, local stakeholders and private sector in the implementation of post-2015 agenda, effective, equitable and transparent regulatory frameworks, and cost-effective and flexible economic instruments
• Developing capacity to deliver the post-2015 agenda: The post-2015 agenda can only take root if all partners have effective institutions and the necessary human skills and capacities to eradicate poverty and boost sustainable development. This includes the capacity to assess needs, collect data, develop knowledge-sharing initiatives, monitor implementation and review strategies
• Ensuring mobilisation and effective use of domestic public finance: National governments have the main responsibility for carrying out sustainable economic policies. This includes the responsibility for efficient, sustainable, accountable and transparent management of all public resources, including natural resources
• Promoting the effective mobilisation and use of international public finance: International public financing continues to be an important part of the overall financing available for developing countries. All countries have a role to play in mobilising financial resources. The European Commission supports, among others, that high-income, upper middle-income countries and emerging economies should equally commit to increasing their contribution to international public financing, and should set out specific targets and timelines for doing so
• Stimulating trade to eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development: Trade is a key factor for sustainable inclusive growth and sustainable development, and is therefore an essential implementing means for the post-2015 agenda. The EU remains fully committed to the Doha Development Agenda of the World Trade Organisation and the implementation of the Bali package, notably the Trade Facilitation Agreement and the elements related to the Least Developed Countries which promote further integration of these countries into international markets and sustainability through a range of trade agreements
• Driving transformative change through science, technology and innovation: Science, technology and innovation can generate profound changes in a relatively short period of time. All stakeholders have to exploit the potential offered by science, technology and innovation to benefit smart, sustainable and inclusive development
• Mobilising the domestic and international private sector: Business and consumers have a pivotal role to play in achieving sustainable development. The private sector, ranging from small stakeholders to major multinationals, is an important engine for innovation, sustainable growth, job creation, trade, and poverty reduction. It also plays a catalytic role in investing in green economy, resource efficiency and green infrastructure, such as sustainable transport systems and energy networks that are vital for a country’s economic growth
• Harnessing the positive effects of migration: Migration can be one of the most powerful and immediate strategies for poverty reduction. People move to escape poverty and conflict, adapt to climate change, environmental and economic shocks, seek protection from persecution or serious harm, and improve the income, health, and education of their families. The international community needs to foster a collaborative approach to manage migration effectively and efficiently
• Establishing a strong framework for monitoring, accountability and review: The monitoring, accountability and review framework for the SDGs should be an integral part of the post-2015 agenda and be underpinned by the principles of transparency, inclusiveness and responsiveness, efficiency and effectiveness. It needs to cover all aspects of the SDGs as well as all means of implementation, including all aspects of financing, at international and regional level. The UN’s High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development is the primary forum in this context and has a key oversight role for maintaining political commitment and facilitating a review of progress and best practices, including recommendations for further action at all levels.
The Communication which is expected to lead to Council Conclusions in spring 2015 will lay the foundation for developing the EU position in preparation for two high-level international meetings: the Third International Conference on Financing for Development to be held in Addis Ababa in July 2015 and the United Nations (UN) Summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda which will take place in New York in September 2015. It will also contribute to the preparation of the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to be held in Paris in December 2015.
Source: European Commission, Press Release Database
For further information:
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-4141_en.htm
About the author
MEPIELAN Centre
MEPIELAN Centre is an international research, training and educational centre established by Professor Evangelos Raftopoulos at the Panteion University of Athens in 2008.
Before its establishment as a University Centre, MEPIELAN operated as a successful international research, training and informational programme (2002-2007) under the scientific direction of Professor Evangelos Raftopoulos and the aegis of the Panteion University of Athens, supported by the Mediterranean Action Plan/UNEP and the Greek Ministry of the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works.
MEPIELAN Centre is an accredited UNEP/MAP PARTNER (since 2013), a Member of the Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development (MCSD) (since 2016), and a Member of the Steering Committee of the MCSD (since 2019).
On 22 May 2022, MEPIELAN Centre proceeded to the development of MEPIELAN as a Non- Profit Civil Organization (INGO) for the more effective and efficient advancement of its Goals and Missions and furtherance of its activities. MEPIELAN Centre as a Non- Profit Civil Organization (INGO) is registered in Greek Law (Hellenic Business Registry, Reg. No. 16477300100) in accordance with Laws 4072/2012 & 4919/2022 as applicable
-
MEPIELAN Centre#molongui-disabled-link
-
MEPIELAN Centre#molongui-disabled-link
-
MEPIELAN Centre#molongui-disabled-link
-
MEPIELAN Centre#molongui-disabled-link