THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL

Socialists focused on boosting sustainable development
May 4, 2023
Peace, International Affairs & Cooperation

Pictured from left: European Commissioner for International Partnership Jutta Urpilainen, meeting Chair and Portugal’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Francisco André and PES Executive Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck.

The European Union must continue to be a driving force behind economic, social and environmental progress in developing countries, as a reliable international partner supporting effective Multilateral development banks.

Development ministers from the Party of European Socialists (PES) met in Brussels, Belgium, this morning to coordinate ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council (Development) taking place later today. On the agenda of the PES meeting: reform of Multilateral development banks, reconstruction of Ukraine, and joint initiatives to support sustainable development.

Francisco André, Chair of the PES meeting and Portugal’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, said:

“Europe must continue to be a reliable international partner which promotes multilateral cooperation and progressive values in development. By focusing on making Multilateral development banks more effective, we can strengthen human rights and environmental protections. The world’s poorest are facing a multitude of crises, which are exacerbating global inequality and poverty. We must take steps to help people in developing countries to ensure the progress that has been achieves is not lost.”

The meeting exchanged on Ukraine, condemning Russia’s brutal invasion and reaffirming its full support for Ukraine’s defence and reconstruction. Progressives stand ready to support all efforts to rebuild Ukraine. The participants also discussed the need to increase EU support for Africa and the situation around women’s rights in Afghanistan.

Ministers discussed the developing situation in Sudan, urging all sides in the conflict to observe and further extend the agreed ceasefire. The meeting commended efforts to evacuate EU nationals from the conflict zones and underlined the importance of continued engagement in Sudan to avert a humanitarian crisis emerging in the country.