Millennium Development Goals Debates

European Union contribution to MDGs

The European Union is the world’s biggest donor (over 50% of worldwide official development assistance - ODA) and thus has an important role in the process of achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. The EU, both Member States and the Commission, spent EUR 48 billion on ODA in 2006. The Union is committed to increase annual volume of development assistance to EUR 66 billion in 2010 and EUR 90 billion in 2015.

EU assistance goes to more than 150 countries, territories and organisations and focuses on the global challenges of the 21st century: tackling poverty, promoting democracy and security, social equity, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability.

The major document of EU development policy is the European Consensus on Development – a set of core objectives, values, principles and resources agreed by Member States and the Community signed in 2005. The Consensus confirms EU full support of the Millennium Development Goals. More

On 07/07/07 - the eve of the symbolic mid-term date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a European Commission published a survey showing broad support for European Union’s priorities in development co-operation and MDGs. More

More: The European Commission Report on Millennium Development Goals 2000-2004.