This week global leaders were in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to attend the 3rd International Conference on Financing for Development and adopt the framework of commitments that will finance the new sustainable development goals. S&D Members of the European Parliament Linda Mc Avan, Chair of the Committee on Development, and Pedro Silva Pereira, Rapporteur on Financing for Development, were among the EU Delegation to the Conference.
Gianni Pittella, President of the Socialists and Democrats Group stated:
"I am proud of the work of our S&D Members, Commissioners and Ministers. This agreement launches what may be the most crucial six months for eradicating global poverty. We will continue to ensure our values of solidarity, equality and justice are carried through the whole new development framework in New York and Paris, as we did in Addis Ababa."
Linda McAvan said:
"Development aid must remain a key instrument for financing development and the EU must remain committed to its leading role, with a particular focus on the Least Developed Countries. But if we want a new, ambitious framework for development we are going to have to pull in a lot more resources from the private sector and tax revenue, as well as closing tax loopholes and stopping illicit financial flows. We welcome the increased emphasis placed by governments on gender equality and investment in women and girls, and want rapid and concrete follow up actions to get that investment rolling."
Pedro Silva Pereira added:
"We are witnessing a change in the global framework and we have to ensure no one is left behind. If we are serious about reaching this, we need ambitious means of implementation. Unfortunately, financial commitments have been shied away from by all - the EU being the only one to recommit to the timid 0.7% of GNI to ODA. I am however pleased to see many of our progressive recommendations included in the final agreement and we will monitor the progress through innovative data collection and timely evaluation of the commitments made."
