FRONTESPIZIO - Cooperazione Italiana allo Sviluppo

2. The ethio-italian cooperation programme with special focus on the health sector 132. THE ETHIO-ITALIAN COOPERATION PROGRAMMEWITH SPECIAL FOCUS ON THEX HEALTH SECTORAndrea SenatoriIntroductionThe aim of the Italian Development Cooperation is mainly to help developingcountries reduce poverty. As a signing party of the Universal HumanRights Declarations, Italy also encourages good governance, respect for humanrights and democratic participation in economic and social developmentfor all members of society, without discrimination.Cooperation with developing countries allows Italy to contribute to effortscoordinated by the United Nations to alleviate world poverty: the eightMillenium Development Goals (MDGs), approved by the United NationsGeneral Assembly in September 2000, are the fundamental points of referenceboth for Italian Development Cooperation and International Aid.MDGs at a Glance1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by 20152. Achieve universal primary education by 20153. Promote gender equality and empower women4. Reduce child mortality5. Improve maternal health6. Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases7. Ensure environmental sustainability8. Develop a global partnership for developmentApproximately 40% of Italian aid is distributed to the 50 countries, out ofwhich 34 are in Africa, that the UN classifies as Least Developed Countries.Along with other G8 countries and the OECD (Organisation for EconomicCo-operation and Development), Italy welcomed in particular the NePAD(New Partnership for Africa’s Development) initiative started by Africancountries, aimed at extending democracy in the continent as an importantfactor of developmentBased on the commitments for the MDGs, on the “Monterrey Consensus”(2002, International Conference on Financing for Development), on theBarcelona European Council (2002) and according to the G8 agenda, Italy is