A new partnership for meeting the MDGs

Today, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, in a speech at the UN, called for a new global partnership to tackle what he described as a "development emergency" – the shortfall in progress against the internationally agreed UN Millennium Development Goals. The speech was accompanied by two statements, one by Heads of State and the other by business. The UN Secretary General endorsed the Prime Minister's proposal for a UN Summit next year to review progress and accelerate action.

There were two refreshing aspects to his speech. One was a clear recognition of the role that business has to play, in partnership with others, in meeting the development goals. The other was the recognition, so often underplayed in these discussions, that “trade, wealth creation and job creation are the only routes to long term prosperity”:

And it is time to agree a new partnership for prosperity:
in each country, the government undertaking a rigorous examination of the obstacles to business formation…
in each country, development agencies helping to create the infrastructure necessary for growth…
in each country, the power of entrepreneurship unleashed…
in each country, a focus on agricultural productivity…
in each country, government and businesses being long term partners in a joint mission on economic development.

…perhaps for too long we have talked the language of development without defining its starting point in wealth creation – the dignity of individuals empowered to trade and be economically self sufficient.

To turn passionate words into practical action, we all have to step up to the challenge. As I argued in a speech today, Business Action for Africa is one example of the business community’s vision, big-thinking and readiness to support such an effort.