Background
As we approach the 2015 deadline for the Mil- lennium Development Goals, the international community is elaborating a new framework to promote sustainable development for all beyond 2015, which will build on achievements to date and address new challenges arising from an evolving and complex landscape. Three major trends are emerging: first, most of the poor live in middle-income countries and many live in high-income countries. Second, the Eurozone crisis and turmoil in MENA demonstrate that devel- oped and developing countries alike are confronted with the difficult task of generating growth and creating jobs. Moreover, beyond the financing needs associated with these protracted crises, the impact on a number of traditional donors reduces the volume of available official development assistance (ODA). Third, trade, finance and other links among emerging market and developing economies are growing. This shift offers op- portunities for new, mutually beneficial partnerships.
