Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development
The challenge
The world has the financial resources to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and end poverty.
But some factors such as global trade and international debts undermine the progress already made. Political commitment and a real partnership between both rich and poor countries are necessary.
Our plan: to launch a global partnership between rich and poor countries in the fields of aid, trade and debt relief.
That means developed countries should:
- reduce tariffs and debts for poor countries;
- encourage the access of poor countries to world markets and promote a stronger voice for them in international institutions;
- make affordable drugs and new technologies available to poor countries.
Poorer regions also have a responsibility in making sure money is well spent, civil society is involved in policy-making, citizens’ rights are respected and young people have jobs.
How are we doing?
In 2009, development aid reached USD 119.6 billion. But progress in making global trade fairer and relieving the debt of poor countries is very slow.
Our action
The EU wants to make aid more effective and improve coherence with other policies. Find out more
It is the principle trade partner of most African countries and has opened its market to the poorest countries of the world.
One example is the EU’s support for the implementation of an Arab-Mediterranean Free Trade Agreement to eliminate barriers to trade and to facilitate investment.
The EU also launched 'Everything But Arms' to eliminate quotas and duties on all products except arms from the world's 48 poorest countries. Find out more
Quick facts
- an additional $50 billion – how much we need to end poverty
- Rich countries have pledged to spend 0.7% of their national income on aid
From the field
Helping small producers of fruits and vegetables
This project ensures that small producers from developing countries can export their products to the EU. Watch video
Support to the implementation of the Arab-Mediterranean Free Trade Agreement
The EU supported the creation of a free trade area between Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia and Morocco. It promoted economic integration within this area and with the EU market.
We're on