EU Development Ministers will gather tomorrow in Brussels for a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on Development. Amongst other topics, Ministers will discuss the future relations of EU and African, Carribean and Pacific countries after 2020, when the Cotonou Agreement is set to expire.

Emily Wigens, Interim Brussels Director for ONE said: “Africa’s population is set to more than double by 2050. A narrow window of opportunity exists for the continent to harness a “demographic dividend” and drive a surge in inclusive growth. We are calling on the European Union to step up and use this opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to shaping a holistic new Partnership with Africa, based on major investments in education, employment and empowerment.

The European External Investment Plan offers a chance to scale investments in Africa and drive renewed interest in fragile regions, but only if a significant portion of investment is directed to the poorest and most fragile states. Indeed, only long-term investments will foster true stability and prevent future major crises. This is why, in the upcoming negotiations on the 2018 EU Budget, Member States must ensure that new financial commitments to respond to immediate emergencies are additional to planned financing for the world’s poorest. EU development assistance must remain focused on poverty-eradication, particularly on life-saving education, health and nutrition programmes.”   

 

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Notes to Editors

Foreign Affairs Council Meeting – Read More

ABOUT ONE: ONE is a campaigning and advocacy organization of nearly 8 million people taking action to end extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa. Not politically partisan, we raise public awareness and press political leaders to combat AIDS and preventable diseases, increase investments in agriculture and nutrition, and demand greater transparency in poverty-fighting programs. Read more at www.one.org.

For media queries please contact: Emily Wigens (interim Brussels Director), [email protected], +44 7557 265 4833