Europe at the New Frontier of International Development
Europe at the New Frontier of International Development

Summary/Abstract: The international development agenda is in flux, and this poses a challenge to all development actors, including the European Union. In this paper, I argue (1) that development progress has been substantial, with fewer countries now classified as “low income,” and most of those characterised as fragile states which need new kinds of intervention; (2) that the adoption of the new Sustainable Development Goals creates a new set of challenges, especially around the linking of poverty and environmental goals; (3) that the combination of a new poverty context and the increased profile of environmental goals shapes a new frontier in international development thinking and action; and (4) that the EU, especially the European institutions, rather than just the Member States, is well placed to lead at the new frontier, provided it follows through on current policy initiatives. An action agenda follows from these arguments, especially in relation to the formulation and implementation of the new EU global strategy. Policy coherence becomes ever more important in development cooperation.

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