2008-04-06
Tokyo, Japan - The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, today concluded a successful round of meetings with other G8 Development Ministers on issues related to international development assistance, such as global health and education programming, and aid to Africa. These discussions took place in advance of this year's G8 Leaders Summit scheduled for July 7-9, in Toyako, Japan.
"Canada's objective at this meeting of G8 Development Ministers was to ensure that all G8 partners agree on the importance of achieving greater effectiveness and concrete results in international assistance", said Minister Oda. "As the international donor community continues to grow, it is vital that all donors work together to fulfill the principles of aid effectiveness. It is through increased coordination among donor countries and organizations that we will be able to maximize the results of international development assistance."
In addition to the G8 members, the Tokyo meetings included representatives from Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Republic of Korea, South Africa, and a number of international and regional institutions.
In both the main sessions, and in private meetings with her counterparts, Minister Oda communicated Canada's commitment to making its international development assistance more focused, effective, and accountable to demonstrate greater results. Additionally, she emphasized the need to ensure development successes in fragile states such as Afghanistan, Haiti, and Sudan, and indicated that Canada will meet its G8 commitment to double aid to Africa in 2008-2009, becoming the first G8 country to do so.
For its international development efforts, the OECD this week recognized Canada as keeping pace with its commitment to double overall aid by 2010.
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Information:
Joanna Bailey
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
Telephone: (819) 953-6238
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: (819) 953-6534
E-mail: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca
