France and the MDGs

Towards a new historic commitment

On 8 September 2000, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Millennium Declaration, the first international consensus on development. The Member States decided to eradicate extreme poverty and strive to ensure that the benefits of globalisation were more fairly shared, while endeavouring to promote democracy and the Rule of Law. Recognising that defending the principles of human dignity, equality and equity was a collective responsibility, States pledged to overcome the main development challenges by 2015.

The international consensus on the MDGs was a major stride forward in the approach to development. Over and above its symbolic aspect and its power to mobilise, it focussed on human development, which is both a condition and an end-goal of any development process.

The MDG Summit (New York, 20-22 September 2010) involves carrying out an assessment of all of the achievements, best practices and lessons learned from obstacles encountered to date, which must result in the adoption of concrete action strategies.

Ten years after the MDGs were agreed upon, it is vital to remain, on the one hand, lucid and realistic regarding the mixed results to date and the magnitude of today’s new challenges, and steadfastly optimistic, on the other hand, about the international community’s capacity to commit, collectively. Appropriation by governments in developing countries is a crucial factor for success.

By working towards an extended global partnership, France is furthering its firm commitment to these Goals alongside the European Union and its partners who likewise call for greater effectiveness and governance of aid.

France and the MGDs - (PDF, 1.8 Mo)

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