Making the case for strong EU development cooperation budget in the next Multiannual Financial Framework – CONCORD Europe Position
Introduction
In a changing, complex and increasingly interconnected world, “carrying on as we are” or “doing less together” are simply not options for the European Union (EU) or its member states (MSs). Poverty, inequality, shrinking civic space, human insecurity, climate change and environmental degradation, violence and human rights violations – all are still part of our world’s shared reality. What happens elsewhere is a concern also for the EU. Collectively, the EU and its member states are the world’s leading donor of development and humanitarian aid, and they have everywhere been at the forefront of promoting sustainable development and the European values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, human rights and gender equality.
The EU demonstrated great leadership in making the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development a transformative political framework, and it made positive and constructive contributions to the Paris climate agreement and to human rights conventions such as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). The EU Consensus on Development sets out how the EU will support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda outside Europe. The Global Strategy for the EU’s Foreign and Security Policy embodies a commitment to living up to EU values, making a positive difference in the world, acting globally to address the root causes of conflict and poverty, promoting human rights, and acting responsibly as a global stakeholder.
The post-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) must reflect these existing commitments and live up to the values that have inspired the EU’s creation and development. This means that the EU must preserve its role as the major global development and humanitarian aid donor and as a leaderin the fight against climate change.