European Development NGOs welcome the pro-solidarity elements integrated in the new European Consensus on Development but are alarmed by the instrumentalisation of development cooperation towards security, commercial and migration objectives, says CONCORD Europe – the European Confederation of Development NGOs.
The EU Foreign Affairs Council have adopted the new European Consensus on Development, a cornerstone of EU development policy meant to define a new common framework for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda by the EU and its Member States.
CONCORD, the European Confederation of Development NGOs, encourages the renewal of the commitment to “the reduction and, in the long term, the eradication of poverty” as main objective of EU Development policy. By attempting to align with the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement, the Consensus reflects on the leadership of the EU, providing guidance towards Sustainable Development.
Johannes Trimmel, CONCORD Europe President:
“The Consensus has improved through its different versions. The distinctive and crucial role of Civil Society in a democratic space, the focus on small-scale and local agriculture as well as the importance of women’s and girls’ rights are, among others, very valuable elements.”
Nonetheless, development NGOs are concerned about the overall direction of European development cooperation, progressively instrumentalised in favour of migration control, securitisation and the private sector. The External Investment Plan and the Global Strategy were already attempts to serve EU self-interests, the Consensus is reinforcing that vision.
Tanya Cox, Member of CONCORD’s Steering Group on Sustainable Development:
“The Consensus is unrealistic: development cooperation cannot pretend to lead to sustainable development if it is, at the same time, used to serve Europe’s economic, commercial, migration and security interests. The overall direction may even ultimately hamper the achievement of the positive elements in the Consensus.”
