The S&D Group in the European Parliament, with today's oral question on EU member state's commitments on Official Development Assistance (ODA), call on member states to renew their commitment to their aid targets as they are the only sustainable solution to address global issues such as climate change, increasing inequalities, immigration and terrorism.
Linda McAvan, S&D MEP and chair of the European Parliament’s international development committee, said:
"In 2015, the European Year for Development, the policies of the EU on development and the global development framework are at a crucial juncture. EU Member states committed back in 2005 to allocating 0.7% of their GNI for ODA by 2015. Despite the fact that this is a UN target for all developed countries, recently reiterated by Ban Ki-Moon, only 4 member states have met this commitment and others are off track.
"Official Development Assistance remains a vital tool at the heart of the EU's development cooperation, and can catalyse other sources of finance we know are much needed, such as private sector investment and increased domestic tax collection. This commitment is a question not just of solidarity and responsibility, but credibility on the global stage too."
S&D MEP and rapporteur of financing for development, Pedro Silva Pereira, added:
"I urge the EU not only to recommit without delay to the international aid target of 0.7%, but also to present a credible timetable to reach this target by 2020. Future sustainable development goals will mean nothing if they are not properly financed. The EU should lead by example and present concrete commitments ahead of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development in July".
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