von In the separate session devoted to development cooperation, the Council will adopt the EU position for the UN high level meeting on the millennium development goals (MDGs) in New York in September.
In addition, the Council will adopt conclusions on tax and development — cooperating with developing countries in promoting good governance in tax matters (10349/10) and on crosscountry division of labour in development aid (10348/10).
Millennium development goals, including MDG initiative
The Council will adopt the EU position for the UN summit to review the MDGs to be held from 20 to 22 September in New York. An EU action plan on gender equality and women’s empowerment in development is attached to the Council conclusions.
The MDGs constitute the first ever set of shared development goals at international level. World leaders agreed in 2000 to take decisive action to combat world poverty in its different dimensions by 2015. With only five years until the deadline, their aim at the NewYork meeting will be to ensure a comprehensive review of successes and gaps, and agree on concrete action to speed up progress.
The EU has doubled its official development assistance since 2000 in order to promote the achievements of the MDGs. In 2009 it provided EUR 49 billion, more than half the level of global development aid.
Gender equality and development
The Council will discuss gender equality and development, a fundamental value and principle for the EU.
Equality between women and men and the promotion of women’s rights are not just part of the MDGs, but also a fundamental value and principle for the EU. Despite substantial progress over the past few decades, women and girls still constitute the large majority of the world’s poorest. Women are under-represented in governments and decision-making bodies, have fewer opportunities within the labour and financial markets and are paid significantly less than their male counterparts. The current financial and economic crisis risks to undo some of the progress achieved in recent years. ____________________
Source:
Council of the European Union