The European Union and UNDP

The European Union and the Millennium Development Goals

The European Union subscribes to the fulfilment of the MDGs and has geared its development policy to poverty reduction, the improvement of health conditions, furthering of education, gender equality and environmental sustainability. It has also invested in creating the conditions for sustainable development, good governance, peace and security in the developing world. Click here to read the European Union's MDG8 Report | Learn more about UNDP's support for the MDGs.

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Poverty Reduction is the overarching aim of EU development cooperation. EU Member States and the Commission contribute to the fight against poverty in particular through support to the implementation of poverty reduction strategies, as Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Sweden, the UK and the Commission mention in their reports.

Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education

The European Union is working to secure funding for countries that abolish all primary education school fees, launching initiatives in favour of the most vulnerable children, pooling resources to increase education funding and placing the emphasis on gender equality in education strategies.

Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women

Strong emphasis is being placed on gender equality as a goal in itself, its central role in development policy with focus on poverty reduction, human rights and the MDGs, in particular economic, social, sexual and reproductive health and rights, including good governance and democratic institutions.

Goal 4: Reduce child mortality

The focus is being placed on countries with highest Under 5 Mortality Rates and those that are offtrack for meeting MDG4. Promoting vaccination, providing access to antiretroviral drugs for HIV positive pregnant women, broadening the determinants of child health such as safe water and nutrition, are integral components of the EU's strategy.

Goal 5: Improve maternal health

The EU has increasingly been supporting demand-side financing schemes which give pregnant women access to antenatal, delivery and post natal services has been increased. It is also working to address the crisis in human resources for health, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.


Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

The priorities on financing, access and human resources as mentioned under MDG 4 and 5 are equally crucial to achieving MDG6. In addition, the EU will continue to distribute insecticide-treated bed nets and contraceptives to high-risk populations. Affordable ARV treatments have also been prioritized.

Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability

Priorities and actions include: promoting the sustainable management of natural resources, improving water and sanitation and increasing access to modern, sustainable energy services. All of these promises entail a significant improvement of the way in which water, enbergy and the environment are governened and managed.

Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development

From 2010, the European Union will make an additional EUR 20 billion available each year for development. The Union is also committed to improving aid effectiveness through closer coordination and harmonisation of policies, and to take effective measures to support: the untying of aid, the reform of the international financial system and the restoration of debt sustainability. Click here to read the European Union's report on MDG8, "setting up an international partnership for development".