Page 4 - Economy_Sustainable Global Economy

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Introduction to the topic

The sustainable economy consists of carrying out activities that take into account the environment and the
permanence of resources in the future. Sustainable economy is understood as a growth pattern that
reconciles economic, social and environmental development in a productive and competitive economy, that
favors quality employment, equal opportunities and social cohesion, and that guarantees environmental
respect and rational use of natural resources, so that it allows satisfying the needs of present generations
without compromising the possibilities of future generations to meet their own needs.

- References to EU policies in line with this topic

The 2030 Agenda of the United Nations, approved by world leaders
during the COP21 in Paris in 2015, constitutes the new framework for
sustainable development worldwide and establishes 17 Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) (Transforming our world: the 2030
Agenda for Sustaniable Development. UN A/RES/70/1 ). It represents
a commitment to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable
development by 2030 worldwide, without excluding anyone.

The SDGs balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental.
They set specific objectives for the next 15 years, focused, among other things, on:
• human dignity
• regional and global stability
• a healthy planet
• just and resilient societies
• prosperous economies.
• They help promote convergence between EU countries, within societies and with the rest of the world.

Key actions for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda:
• Include the Sustainable Development Goals in EU policies and initiatives at all levels, with sustainable
development as the essential guiding principle of all the policies of the European Commission.
• Submit regular reports on EU progress from 2017
• Promote the implementation of the 2030 Agenda together with the governments of the EU, the European
Parliament, the other European institutions, international organizations, civil society organizations, citizens
and other interested parties.
• Launch a high-level multilateral platform that supports the exchange of best practices in enforcement
between different sectors at national and EU level
• Conceiving a longer-term vision for after 2020.

In order to promote sustainable development worldwide, the EU will continue to collaborate with its ex-
ternal partners, using all available instruments in the framework of its external policies, and will support, in
particular, efforts in developing countries.