Joint statement on the adoption of the new European Consensus on Development
Joint statement by the President of the Council of the European Union, Joseph Muscat; the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini; the President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani and the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker on the adoption of the new European Consensus on Development
With the signature of the new European Consensus on Development, we, the leaders representing the European Union institutions and the Member States, come together to mark a milestone achievement.
Proud to lead global efforts as the world's largest development actor, we are united in our determination to set ourselves a clear vision and plan of action to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development in its economic, social and environmental dimensions by 2030.
In 2015, the international community adopted at the United Nations the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This Agenda is a politically transformative, ambitious and universal commitment to end poverty and set the world on a sustainable path to prosperity, peace and social justice. The EU and its Member States are strongly committed to its implementation, within Europe and across the world, and this is why we are now translating this new comprehensive blueprint into our own policies including our development policies. Sustainable development is one of the key elements of our external action, as defined in the Lisbon Treaty and further set out in the Global Strategy for the EU's Foreign and Security Policy.
The new European Consensus on Development is the cornerstone of our revamped development policy and constitutes an important part of the EU's overall response to the 2030 Agenda. For the first time a shared framework applies to all EU Institutions and Member States, providing a common approach to development policies in the next decades. It will guide our cooperation with all developing countries, bearing in mind the need to design tailor-made approaches that reflect the growing diversity of our partner countries.
Ending poverty in all its forms remains our primary objective. We will work to reduce inequalities, address vulnerabilities and combat discrimination ensuring that no one is left behind aiming to reach the furthest behind first. We will promote gender equality and social inclusion across our policies, foster opportunities for young people and improve people's well-being everywhere. In implementing the Consensus, we will be guided by and promote our common principles, including democracy, the rule of law, human rights, equality and solidarity, as well as our commitment to a rules-based global order, with multilateralism and the United Nations at its core. Recognising the linkages between sustainable development and climate action, we also reaffirm our strong commitment to implement the Paris Agreement fully and effectively.
Our new approach to development is based on the 'five Ps' of the 2030Agenda: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnerships. Recognising the interlinkages between the SDGs, we will pay attention to actions that meet multiple goals in a coherent way. We will work across policies and sectors to boost synergies addressing a range of cross-cutting elements to accelerate transformation. Based on the principle of policy coherence for development, development objectives will be fully taken into account across EU policies that are likely to affect developing countries. Policy coherence will be ensured to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs by partner countries.
Achieving this ambitious vision for Our World, Our Dignity and Our Future will require multiplying and unifying our efforts. We will work better together by improving coordination to maximise the impact of the EU and the Member States' actions, and by applying the development effectiveness principles. We will reinforce innovative partnerships with all countries, involving civil society, the private sector, local authorities, international organisations and all relevant stakeholders. The challenges and opportunities of this era are immense, and none of us alone can successfully address them. Our collective action can make a real difference in addressing our common challenges and advancing mutual benefits.
In line with the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, a full range of means of implementation will be mobilised in the spirit of partnership. Action will focus on establishing conducive policy environments to achieve the SDGs, mobilising and making effective use of domestic and international public finance, combating illicit financial flows and involving the private sector through investment, trade, innovation and technology. We also reaffirm all individual and collective Official Development Assistance commitments and will take realistic, verifiable actions towards meeting them.
This Consensus is a pledge and a call for all of us to join forces for a prosperous, fair, sustainable, safe world and a life of dignity for all. It represents our vision that now needs to be translated into reality.
Together, we will be true to our aims, consistent in our new approach and united in our action.