EU – Baltic States, Financial Services, Forum, Latvia, Legislation, USA

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For the funding, which is invested in development cooperation to bring the desired results, Latvia and the EU are strongly advocating good governance and inclusive social and civil dialogue, environmental sustainability, human rights and gender equality. These principles are the cornerstone of the EU's common position. It was during the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union that all EU member states reached agreement on a common position to be presented at the UN conference development financing.

Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica emphasised several elements which are essential for the pursuing the new UN development goals in the economic, environmental and social areas for the coming 15 years. The Parliamentary State Secretary indicated that additional work at the international level is essential for pursuing the UN development goals at the national level. An important role is played by an inclusive social and civil dialogue, the partnership between the national, regional and municipal government bodies, as well as social partners and the private sector,

It is important, the Parliamentary State Secretary said, to ensure a process of consultation and negotiation between national authorities, social partners, and the private sector in order to achieve coherence at all levels of government, thereby enabling the formulation of common national positions while safeguarding sub-national interests.

Taking into account that two thirds of the full-time jobs in developing countries are provided by small and medium enterprises, Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica invited support for development, capacity-building and access to financing for developing countries.

This week in Addis Ababa all countries must agree on the necessary funding and reforms in various policy areas in order to introduce new UN development goals that will be applicable up till 2030. The new UN development goals are scheduled for approval at the UN Summit taking place this September in New York.

All the UN Member States are participating in the Third International Conference on Financing for Development as well as international organisations and financial institutions, representatives from NGOs and the private sector. The Latvian delegation is also represented by the non-governmental organisation "LAPAS – the Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation". LAPAS is actively engaged in both implementation of development cooperation projects and public awareness building on questions of global development.