MADRID- Following the Coordinating Committee for Development NGOs in Spain proposal; Spanish political parties signed a state-wide agreement restating their commitment to fight poverty.
In a ceremony held yesterday at the Circulo de Bellas Artes in Madrid, the Coordinating Committee for the Development NGOs in Spain (CONGDE) brought together all political parties represented at the Spanish parliament to sign a historic pact against state poverty.
The pact aims to establish strong and lasting commitment in the fight against poverty, in order for cooperation policies to be maintained over time. Which would ensure compliance beyond any change of government.
The agreement highlights the MDGs as the international framework to eradicate poverty and urges Spanish political parties to ensure commitment on MDG 8. The text includes the compromise to reach 0.7 of GDP for ODA by 2012, the compliance with the Paris Declaration specifically on donor coordination and the decreasing of tied aid, the commitment to invest 20% of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) on social services, and the need for reaching coherence between trade, agricultural and cooperation politics.
“This signing is an event of extraordinary value that reflects the will and commitment of political parties to expand and consolidate the progress made in the Spanish Development Cooperation. It also includes recognition of the role of the NGOs in monitoring and improving cooperation,” said Jose M ª Medina Rey, president of the Coordinating Committee for the Development NGOs in Spain.
CONGDE promoted the initiative for over a year and a half. The political parties represented in Parliament unanimously approved the final text. As Jose Maria Medina points out, “this state agreement is their response to a social demand for a greater involvement of Spain to eradicate extreme poverty in the world.”
All the political parties highlighted the work done by CONGDE in the last years, emphasing its strong commitment to the monitoring and enforcement of this pact.
Mr. Jose Blanco (PSOE representative): “Today is a day for celebration. The message of unity and commitment that represents this pact puts Spain at the forefront of the fight against poverty.”
Ms. Ana Pastor (PP representative): “It is a compact copy of consensus, above all for the future.”
Ms. Montserrat Munoz (IU representative): “This is a very ambitious pact. If a as a legislature we can reach what is in this text, we will achieve a breakthrough.”
Mr. Carles Campuzano (CiU representative): “Behind this consensus is the work of Spanish civil society. Without their engagement we would not be here today signing this pact. The challenge for us is now to turn rhetoric into reality.”
Ms. Laia Cañigueral (ERC representative): “It is an honour to be able to sign this agreement today. In addition, ERC commits to monitor its compliance.”
Mr. Aitor Esteban (PNV representative): “This document sets out basic lines in the area of future development cooperation.”
Joan Herrera (ICV representative): “Today we do not take a small step, but a major step forward in the fight against poverty. We have now a tool to demand compliance.”
Ms. Olaia Fernandez (BNG representative): “Exhibiting our commitment that we are not only signatory of the pact, but followers of the same.”
The state agreement has also moved to the municipal and regional level, to ensure compliance. So far it has been already subscribed by the regional governments of La Rioja, Cantabria, Navarra and the Balearic Islands and the cities of Zaragoza, Logrono, Tolosa, Toledo, Talavera de la Reina, Ciudad Real and Puertollano.
