AER Initiative for the Promotion of the
Millennium Development Goals (MDG)
on 7th July 2007

« Let us mobilize for 0,7% ! »

This action "Let us mobilize for 0,7%" seems to me an excellent means to federate the Regions and to open a road for them which will be their's in the XXI century. It is not only the symbol of a new and strong impulse to fight against poverty and to implement the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), but it is also a concrete way providing us with the means for real action.

The local authorities play an increasingly important part on the international scene and they are recognized as fullfledged actors in development aid.

I think that we cannot, as an institution, remain insensitive with regard to the omnipresent inequalities in the world, and that we have the duty to act jointly in order to fight them. It seems vital that all international actorse, including the local authorities, but in particular those at regional level, get involved.At the Regional Council of Bourgogne we have decided in favour of this political commitment, which aims at inducing changes in behaviour for a fairer world!

I call on the European Regions to engage in support of an increase in public aid for development in order to achieve 0,7% of the Gross National Income (GNI) by 2015 and to participate in the implementation of the UN Millennium Development Goals.

It is obviously necessary to keep in mind that development is not only a question of means, i.e. finances, it is also a question of more effective methods of action. In this context, several member Regions of the AER network "International Solidarity" wish to develop together projects of decentralised co-operation in developing countries.

They will act in cooperation with the local and national authorities and in partnership with the United Nations, in particular in the framework of the ART initiative of the United Nation's Development Programme.

Marie-Françoise MULLER

Vice President of Committee 3
Chairwoman of the Sub-Committee "Interregional and International Cooperation"
Vice President in charge of international and European relations and decentralised cooperation, Bourgogne (F)