ABSTRACT
The development of regional agreements that assert common values and also adopt the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) appear to jeopardise the achievement of the goals if regions are aligned along civilisational divides. We find, however, there are several principles, including congruence with values, complementarity, comparative advantage and added value, that are already evident in practice that can allow for enhanced and effective cooperation on goals even where values differ. National acknowledgement, in all sectors, of the MDGs, and that includes the United States (US), expresses an active global society and this is consistent, rather than in conflict with growing regional participation as a key feature in global governance. In that framework, national leaders giving effective voice to popular concern in their regions on global issues will enhance regional purpose and profile.
