EU is making major contribution to global fight against poverty
Over the last decade, thanks to EU funding, almost 14 million pupils could go to primary school, more than 46 million people were helped with cash or other in-kind benefits to ensure their food security, and over 7.5 million births were attended by skilled health workers, saving the lives of mothers and babies. These are just some of the new results published today by the European Commission on how it has helped reduce global poverty and supported the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), improving the lives of millions of people.
The new results, which cover EU activities between 2004 and 2012, come some days ahead of a UN Special Event in New York that will discuss how progress on eradicating poverty can be accelerated and how a comprehensive global agenda for development after 2015 could be shaped. José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, will take part in the event, and will be accompanied by Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs, and Environment Commissioner, Janez Potočnik. Commissioner Andris Piebalgs said: "The EU is the most generous donor in the world and our work has really made a difference to the lives of millions of people. We will continue to make every effort to ensure that the MDGs are met by 2015, notably through the implementation of the €1 billion MDG initiative which already benefits almost 50 partner countries. This UN MDG Special Event is a unique opportunity to step up a gear in global action for the next two years and make the MDGs a success. I also expect this event to steer the international community towards an agreement for a post-2015 agenda which should tackle the eradication of poverty and sustainable development challenges. The EU is determined to help ensure a decent life for all by 2030 and beyond."
For more information: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-852_en.htm
