Many countries in Africa are confronting particular challenges in meeting the targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, and will require a broad range of strengthened efforts to meet those targets. Such efforts must include effective action to tackle the shortfalls in policy, predictable financing, data collection and implementation capacities. Children, gender, HIV/AIDS and the environment will be addressed as crosscutting priorities.

This Africa-EU Partnership will serve as a forum for intensified continent-to-continent policy dialogue, cooperation and joint action at all levels, with a view to achieving the MDGs in all African countries.

• 2nd Action Plan 2011-2013