EP - EU-ACP - Millennium Development Goals are achievable, says Kofi Annan

The 9th EU-ACP Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA), which opened this Monday in Bamako, Mali, was told in a written message sent by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan that poverty reduction and the achievement of the seven Millennium Development Goals could be achieved if developed countries support the developing countries. Mr. Annan said he was counting on the parliamentarians from the North and South to put pressure on their governments to keep their promises on development aid.

The Millennium Development Goals are one of the most important debates on this week's agenda for the 77 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and their 77 counterparts from African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP). In its 2000 Millennium Declaration, the United Nations set eight goals for development, called the Millennium Development Goals, which set an ambitious agenda for improving the condition of the world's poorer countries by 2015. The EU-ACP session will conclude this Thursday with the adoption of the Bamako Declaration, which will call for more commitment from the international community to fulfilling these goals.

The situation in Sudan is another key point on the agenda; a joint JPA delegation was in Darfur at the end of March. Other debates will focus on the situation of the African Great Lakes region, in particular a report on post-conflict rehabilitation, the budgetisation of the European Development Fund (EDF) and -with Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson - the latest developments in the area of economic partnership with West Africa. Resolutions will be adopted this Thursday on Sudan, the Great Lakes Region, the EDF, post-conflict situations and primary education (in the context of the Millennium Development Goals).

Holding the Joint Parliamentary Assembly in an ACP state gives MEPs the opportunity to discuss the essential problems of developing countries on the spot with local actors. At the Women's Forum held on Saturday, members of parliament and representatives of civil society were able to discuss the problem of female genital mutilation. This has particular resonance for Mali given that more than 90% of women in Mali are victims of genital mutilation.

Another issue is the fall in world cotton prices. This has had catastrophic consequences for Mali, which is Africa's largest cotton producer. Parliamentarians will also hear about other concerns in Mali, including the threat of desertification.

Press releases on the Joint Parliamentary Assembly as well as up to date agendas and reports are available at the following address:

http://www.europarl.eu.int/intcoop/acp/10_01/default_en.htm

Ninth session of the EU-ACP Joint Parliamentary Assembly, Bamako, Mali 16-21 April 2005

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