More than 200 mayors around the world have signed on to the ‘Fair Trade Beyond 2015 Declaration’, calling on world leaders to support Fair Trade in the development framework that will replace the United Nation's expiring Millenium Development Goals (MDGs).
MDG’s are eight international development goals that were established by the UN in 2000, and are set to expire in 2015.
On 25 September, the UN hosted a special event in New York on MDGs, during which the Fair Trade movement unveiled its declaration as part of a campaign to ensure the issues of Fair Trade and Trade Justice are considered.
The declaration calls for a new global framework that creates a just, equitable and sustainable world and supports Fair Trade as a best-practice partnership for development between governments, local authorities, businesses and citizens.
Upon officially receiving the names of the mayoral signatories, EU development commissioner Andris Piebalgs said: “By bringing together the private sector, civil society and local authorities to empower small producers and agricultural workers, fair trade is an excellent example of the global partnership we are standing for.
“The EU will continue engaging with its partners to support the uptake of fair trade and sustainable consumption and production practices”.
In addition to the 200 mayors around the world, over 120 elected local authorities and 270 civil society organisations have signed the “Fair Trade Beyond 2015” declaration.
“We would like to thank all the signatory mayors, local leaders and civil society organisations around the world for making such a visible stand for Fair Trade,” stated Sergi Corbalán, executive director of the Fair Trade advocacy office, coordinator of the declaration.
“Fair Trade is a best practice on how poverty reduction can meet sustainable development,' he added. 'It would be therefore logical that the future sustainable development framework beyond 2015 promoted the uptake of Fair Trade.”
