All development partners should focus on priorities that will bring about the robust growth necessary to meet the 2015 goals. These priorities should include achieving macroeconomic stability, encouraging private sector development, promoting good governance, investing in social development, accelerating trade liberalization, and strengthening financial sectors. While growth is crucial in the fight against poverty, greater attention must be paid to a more equitable distribution of the benefits of growth. To this end, the right social policies are essential, including institution building, education and skills development, and the improvement of health including through the fight against infectious disease. These are the foundation for poverty alleviation and greater social equity.
Social investment secures high returns over the longer term.
Combating global poverty requires a multi-dimensional approach. To achieve this, poor countries need to produce their own comprehensive Poverty Reduction Strategies, centered on the International Development Goals. These strategies will provide a vital link between social and economic policies needed to reduce poverty and increase growth. They should emphasize transparency, accountability, elimination of wasteful expenditure, and good governance. These strategies should also be developed through participatory processes involving civil society.