Opening session of the European Development Days (EDD)
15 June 2016 (Brussels - Tour & Taxis)
Ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, it is a pleasure to speak at the opening of the European Development Days here in Brussels. And I am honoured and pleased to see that distinguished world leaders like UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, and numerous heads of state and government are also present today. It shows that the Development Days have developed into a key event and meeting opportunity for all those who care about development. It also confirms that the fight against poverty and hunger supporting at the same time social cohesion continues to be at the top of the international agenda. It is also a good occasion to ask ourselves if we have done enough to boost international development in an inclusive and equitable way.
In 2015 we celebrated the European year for development, and progress was achieved in the previous twenty years towards decreased child mortality, access to clean water, and a reduction in extreme poverty. 2015 was a very difficult year for Europe and these difficulties regarding economy, growth, migration and refugees and security still persist. However, I am glad to see that last year the EU helped achieving two important international successes:
First, the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in September adopted the 2030 Agenda. The 17 collectively agreed Sustainable Development Goals and 169 specific targets provide a comprehensive agenda for sustainable development up to 2030. Now it is time to establish a robust framework for implementation and review of progress. We must ensure that parliaments and civil society play their significant role together with states and governments. Because of the universal nature of the Sustainable Development Goals, it will require the EU and its Member States to implement them in their own policies. I am looking forward to concrete proposals from the Commission for an implementation strategy, which will be discussed throughout Europe.
The role of the European Parliament should be central in this debate and we are ready to participate and contribute in a concrete way.
The second international success in 2015 was the Climate Agreement reached in Paris in December. This was in itself a formidable achievement given the numerous challenges that had to be overcome. The climate and development agendas are closely linked: If we do not tackle climate change, we will not be able to reach the Sustainable Development Goals, and vice versa. The first priority is the swift ratification of the Paris Agreement. The European Parliament will do its utmost to ensure quick ratification by the EU, on which the Commission published his proposal last week, and urges all EU Member States to also ratify the Agreement well in advance of the next Climate Conference in Marrakesh. The Parliament will push for the urgent implementation of the agreement and for significant financing pledges made in the context of mitigation and adaptation actions in developing countries;
Despite these two major international successes, a number of the challenges remain - sadly - still relevant and responsibilities lay upon all of us!.
- First of all, development budgets are still too small. Many EU countries continue to fall behind in their commitments to deliver development assistance. This could be partially understandable for countries in economic crisis, but not for others whose economies are growing. I am also concerned that some member states have begun to report assistance to refugees provided in Europe as Official Development Assistance.
- Second, it is sad to see that not much progress has been made on illicit financial flows. It is alarming that, according to some estimates, illicit financial flows out of Africa could be twice as much as the official development assistance received by Africa. This constitutes a real obstacle to winning the fight against poverty. The European Parliament takes this issue very seriously. Following the Panama Papers leaks, we decided to set-up a Committee of Inquiry to investigate failures in implementing EU legislation on money laundering, tax avoidance and tax evasion.
Europe has a responsibility to exert pressure and close tax havens, but other parts of the world need to do the same, because this is a truly global problem.
- An even bigger challenge is the continued migration. More than sixty million people have fled terrorism and war, but also hunger, human rights abuses and oppression. Forced displacement has reached unprecedented levels, which is stretching the limits of the humanitarian response capacity. More than 1 million people crossed the Mediterranean Sea in 2015 and more than 200 000 people have already done so in 2016. Sadly, the Mediterranean has turned into the deadliest migration route in the world with more than two and a half thousand deaths already this year. Unfortunately, even now, there are Member States refusing to receive refugees, as part of the agreed by all European relocation plan. The EU decision have to be implemented! I call upon the EU Member States for a united and unified EU response, based on solidarity, responsibility and in full respect of international obligations. After decades of efforts to close the gap between developed and developing countries, we have failed to give concrete prospects for growth to these countries, driving their peoples to the last solution of migration, putting their lives and their children’s lives at risk.
To manage the many consequences of migration, I welcome the outcome of the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, which acknowledged the need to reshape the course of humanitarian action. The European Union and its Member States committed to strong progress in the five responsibility areas formulated by the UN, and notably to prevent and end conflicts, to uphold the norms that safeguard humanity and to forge better links between humanitarian and development assistance. All of us should be really committed to implement these goals.
The Humanitarian, Sustainable Development, Climate and Valetta summits reminded us of the need to work on the underlying causes of displacement. A strong link must be established between the Agenda for Humanity and the 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals if we want to ensure that we "leave no-one behind".
This is essential, because, it’s one thing to boost development, and it’s another thing to distribute the necessary development and the produced wealth with justice for all. Therefore, we should never forget that cohesion policies and development funds, should be canalized to the weaker and most vulnerable countries and social groups.
But what we maybe need most of all is a different attitude in dealing with each other. The past year has seen a growth in nationalism, populism and self-centred behaviour in politics all over the world. The idea that countries can solve their own problems alone and keep neighbours’ problems and international crises outside the door by building walls has sadly taken root. In an increasingly interdependent world, this will never solve the problems of our time. Nor will blaming and rejecting particular religions help us in solving our crises. We must fight extremism of any kind, religious fanaticism and its violent excesses, but not religion itself. What the world needs now is a positive spirit of solidarity, cooperation and inclusion. We can solve the problems of our time if we work together and don't fight each other.
In a globalised world, it is not any more the case that a conflict or a humanitarian crisis, even if it takes place far from us, won’t affect us. We should see what we did wrong and how we will solve this problem together! I hope this conference can set a step in that direction.
Thank you for your attention.
