International.
In order to achieve sustainable development in Europe and around the world, the European Commission announced a strategic approach.
A first 'Communication on the next steps towards a sustainable future for Europe' explains how the Commission's ten political priorities contribute to the implementation of UN Agenda 203 for Sustainable Development and how the EU will achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the future. A second communication on a new European Consensus on Development proposes a shared vision and development cooperation framework for the EU and its Member States, in line with the 2030 Agenda. A third communication on a renewed partnership with the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries lays the foundations for a new sustainable phase in EU-ACP relations, after the cotonou Partnership Agreement expires in 2020.
The main elements of the Commission's new strategic approach presented today are:
Next steps for a sustainable European future
- The EU's response to the 2030 Agenda is articulated in two lines of work: the first is to integrate the sustainable development goals into the framework of European policies and into the Commission's current priorities; the second is to open a reflection on the further development of our longer-term vision and the orientation of sectoral policies from 2020 onwards.
- The Commission will use all the instruments at its disposal, including better regulation instruments, to ensure that existing and new policies take into account the three pillars of sustainable development: social, environmental and economic.
- To create a dynamic space that brings together the various stakeholders from the public and private spheres, the Commission will launch a multilateral platform to monitor and share best practices in the implementation of the SDGs in all sectors.
- From 2017, the Commission will regularly report on the EU's progress in implementing the 2030 Agenda and launch reflection work on further developing a longer-term vision, after 2020.
A new European Consensus on Development
- The proposal for a new European Consensus on Development reflects a paradigm shift in development cooperation in the 2030 Agenda, which responds to the more complex and interconnected challenges facing humanity today.
- The proposal sets out a common vision and framework for action for all EU institutions and all Member States, with particular emphasis on cross-cutting drivers of development, such as gender equality, youth, sustainable energy and the fight against climate change, investment, migration and mobility.
- The aim is to increase the credibility, effectiveness and impact of EU development policy, based on common analyses and strategies and joint programming and action, with better information.
- The new Consensus should frame all development policy activities of the EU and its Member States. An example of this approach is the proposed European External Investment Plan which will use official development assistance to mobilise funds from other sources in order to generate sustainable growth for the benefit of the poorest.
Towards a renewed partnership with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries after 2020
- A new partnership should contribute to consolidating peaceful, stable, well-governed, prosperous and resilient states and societies, both in countries bordering our borders and further afield, and contribute to achieving our goal of a rules-based multilateral order to address global challenges.
- The aim is to reach an agreement with the ACP partner countries under a framework agreement that would be accompanied by regional partnerships tailored to african, Caribbean and Pacific countries, addressing specific regional opportunities and challenges.
Source: European Union.
