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European Year for Development gets underway!

The European year for Development (EYD) has just kicked-off. A year to make sure our commitment to fighting poverty and promoting sustainable development reaches every European citizen; to let more people know why it is important to help those in the poorest and most vulnerable countries in the world, and most of all, to get them to engage and be part of that effort themselves.

We have an interesting 12 months ahead of us. We have just launched a new website where you will be able to find a lot of information to judge for yourself. The year will be broken into 12 themes, which encapsulate what international cooperation, together with other European policies - such as climate change or migration - can bring to the world to the benefit of all citizens, both in Europe and abroad. I'd like to tell you a few things about the first topic we’ll be tackling this year, the role of the EU in the world.

The EU is present all over the globe through its 150 Delegations, which are in charge of implementing development projects on the ground and promoting EU interests through diplomacy and dialogue with our partner countries. Despite the economic slowdown, the EU is, and intends to remain, the world’s largest donor of development assistance, accounting for more than half of the global support. EU aid is saving lives and helping to build a better, more sustainable, future for the next generation. It has, for instance, put 14 million boys and girls in school, provided access to water to 70 million people and assisted 46.5 million people through social transfers for food security.

Today's challenges are universal and interrelated, and need a global response - just think of climate change, insecurity, migration, or famines. These problems do not just affect a specific region; they are issues that can affect the world. This obviously makes them Europe’s concern, too. The EU, as global player, is ready to play its part in tackling these challenges.

The EU is also increasingly seen as a key player in the international debate on the future direction of aid. The Commission has made clear its view that the next development framework should include a set of clear and inspiring goals to tackle poverty eradication and sustainable development. These goals should be universal - applicable to everyone, regardless of where they live. Over the next months the EU will have to establish a strong common position and put all its weight behind the negotiations.

This month, I will discuss all of these issues on several occasions - we’ll have for instance the launch event of the EYD in Riga on the 9th, which you shouldn’t miss. And I hope to get to engage with as many of you as possible throughout the year.