Summary: 14 September 2007, New York - Press Speaking Points by European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel at the Millennium Development Goals Africa Steering Group
• Secretary General, may I start this short statement by praising your "wake-up call initiative" to achieve the MDGs, to remind us donors what is in fact our moral duty but also our interest. This is particularly true and urgent in Africa, where progress towards MDGs is too slow.
• I think the MDGs must and can be reached by ALL actors in development if there is a minimum of political will on all sides. On donors side, of course, but also on beneficiaries. Because African governments have also a responsibility in meeting the Goals, for instance by reinforcing ownership of development policies, by strengthening the commitment to sound policies and accountability.
• I am sad to say that promises to mobilize more financial resources have not been honoured globally, although the European Union is fulfilling its undertakings from 2005. I hope that other key international donors will match our level of ambition.
• Because it is time to mobilize again. It seems to me
• But financial support is not enough. We need better use of resources, better implementation and better aid.
• In our opinion, this implies more aid through budget support, in order to build and strengthen States. Development is about this, it is not about replacing these States in providing their basic functions. We also need predictability of funds, a real "MDGs contract"
• and increased complementarities, a true division of labour. This was the aim of the "code of conduct" that I initiated for the European Union.
• I am particularly concerned about our aid to fragile states. I am convinced that we must be more flexible in our approaches, in applying criteria that generally do not fit the situation of these countries where aid is much needed and could contribute dramatically to stabilization.
• Finally, I would like to stress again the crucial role of trade, as an engine of development but also a vector of stability, through regional integration. Better trade agreements, more Aid for Trade and, generally, greater coherence of non-development policies for development purposes can have an even more important impact on development than any charity operation.
See also: Ban Ki-moon launches 'unprecedented' group to boost Africa's development
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