Finance Ministers Must Take Active Role in Sustainable Development Strategy

[mailchimp_signup][/mailchimp_signup]Letter excerpt:

“We believe ECOFIN has a vitally important role to play in the promotion and achievement of Sustainable Development.

Europe is faced with serious ecological as well as social challenges, including depletion of natural resources, climate change, an unsustainable development of the transport sector, combined with lack of job-security for many and ongoing deterioration of the quality of life in many rural areas.

We are aware of the overarching goal of the Austrian and Finnish Presidencies for the work of the ECOFIN Council in 2006: ‘to further improve pre-conditions for economic growth and employment in Europe, and to further strengthen Europe’s position in the global context.’

We are convinced that achieving improved, and sustainable, pre-conditions for economic growth and competitiveness require a strong ecological and social framework.

Policies driven by the philosophy of internalizing ecological and social costs into the market prices are essential, and will also boost innovation that will concretely contribute both to competitiveness and sustainable development.”

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