On 20 July 2026, the European Union delivered a statement at the UN General Assembly on Nelson Mandela International Day, asserting that poverty is man-made and can be eradicated through collective action. The statement, delivered on behalf of the EU and its Member States, reaffirmed the bloc's commitment to combating poverty and inequality both within Europe and globally, grounded in a human rights-based approach.
The EU highlighted its domestic efforts, including the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy adopted earlier in 2026, which aims to eradicate poverty in the EU by 2050 and lift at least 15 million people out of poverty or social exclusion by 2030. The statement also referenced the European Child Guarantee, which seeks to break the cycle of child poverty by improving access to childcare, education, healthcare, and mental health services. Internationally, the EU and its Member States remain the largest providers of official development assistance (ODA) through the United Nations system, despite a noted historical decline in ODA worldwide in 2025. The EU pledged to continue leading by example as Team Europe and encouraged others to follow suit.
The statement emphasized the importance of decent work, universal social protection, and multilateral cooperation, citing last year's World Social Summit and the Doha Declaration as evidence that multilateralism delivers results. The EU committed to working with all partners to eradicate extreme poverty through ODA and the Global Gateway Infrastructure Initiative.
The EU's anti-poverty strategy and Child Guarantee directly benefit vulnerable populations within the EU, including children and families at risk of poverty or social exclusion, by improving access to essential services. Developing countries stand to gain from continued EU ODA and investment in sustainable development, though the decline in global ODA may strain resources. EU taxpayers bear the cost of funding these initiatives, while businesses may face increased regulatory and social expectations to support decent work and formal employment. The statement reinforces the EU's role as a global leader in development, but its impact depends on sustained financial commitment and international cooperation.