Millenium Development Goals and beyond 2015, a strong EU engagement

The 'United Nations Millennium Declaration', endorsed in 2000, and the accompanying Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), adopted in 2002, have been important instruments in streamlining and coordinating international development action. Since the targets were defined, significant progress has been achieved in almost all the MDGs but there are also numerous challenges that have not been addressed with the necessary commitment by the various stakeholders. New global realities and challenges have enormous implications on new development strategies. In order to agree on a common UN post-2015 development agenda several options are on the table. As one of the key actors, the EU has an important role to play in defining a new post-2015 framework.