The European Parliament voted to reaffirm EU’s leadership role in the fight against extreme poverty by proposing binding targets for gender and human development, particularly education and health, in their proposal for a regulation of the EU’s external aid structure. To strengthen the EU’s contribution to sustainable development, the Parliament included social and environmental standards for private sector investments supported by aid.

Friederike Röder, EU and France Director for The ONE Campaign, said:

“The European Parliament took a positive stance to reaffirm the EU’s commitment to end extreme poverty by 2030. The Parliament’s proposal for the next long term external action structure shows a clear commitment to achieve results that will lift thousands of people out of poverty.

Now it’s the turn for EU leaders to follow suit and match the Parliament’s position. The EU must lead the way and secure a strong aid budget that puts us on track to achieve the sustainable development goals by 2030.”