The EU executive has urged European Union states to fulfill their promises to increase aid to poor countries, cautioning that failing to meet U.N. goals would have dire consequences for developing nations and global stability. Despite progress towards the Millennium Development Goals, millions of children still die from preventable diseases each year, many lack access to clean water, millions of children are without primary education, and hundreds of millions of women are illiterate. The Commission emphasized the importance of achieving the Millennium Development Goals, calling for increased political and public support in order to meet the targets by 2015. EU states were urged to honor commitments to increase development aid to 0.56 percent of GNI by 2010 and 0.7 percent by 2015, as this is crucial in addressing issues such as migration, security, and climate change. It urged all 27 EU states to create financial plans demonstrating yearly increases to achieve the goals. Despite being the largest aid donor globally, the EU provided over 46 billion euros in 2007, which was a decrease of about 1.7 billion euros from the previous year. This reduction in funds could have funded 4,500 schools or 1,200 hospitals. Aid and development Commissioner Louis Michel criticized this as a "serious failure". The Commission highlighted the need for more effective aid by preventing redundant efforts, assisting developing countries in utilizing biofuels to combat poverty, and taking measures to reduce brain drain, especially in health, education, and research sectors. The Commission stated that essential aid effectiveness principles are still not being followed and announced plans to propose improvements on a country-by-country basis. The text called for 2 billion euros ($3.15 billion) to be allocated by 2010 to the Aid for Trade programme, which aims to help poorer countries take advantage of export opportunities, with a special focus on African, Caribbean, and Pacific states. Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso emphasized the need for action in 2008, stating that delivering on promises is essential for credibility. A recent report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development revealed a decrease in development aid from major donors last year, mainly due to the conclusion of large debt relief packages. In 2000, 189 U.N. members agreed on goals to eradicate poverty, promote human and social development, and protect the environment. In 2005, EU leaders set goals for 2015 including reducing extreme poverty by half, ensuring primary education for all children, and enhancing health standards. Aid levels in the EU were slightly below the target of 0.39 percent of GNI in 2006 but were met in that year. The European Commission reports that Official Development Assistance was 93 euros per EU citizen, higher than the amounts in the United States (53 euros) and Japan (44 euros) per person.