Minister Oda in Halifax, February 18, announcing that G8 Development Ministers Meeting will be taking place in that city, April 26 to 28, 2010.
February 18, 2010
HALIFAX—The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, and the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, announced today that Development Ministers from G8 countries will meet in Halifax on April 26-28, 2010.
The meeting of Development Ministers will lay the foundations for proposals that will go to the Leaders Summit in June. A key discussion point will be the Prime Minister's recent announcement that Canada, as Chair of this year's G8 meeting, will champion a major initiative to improve maternal and child health in the world's poorest regions.
"I look forward to welcoming my G8 colleagues to Canada. I believe that by working together G8 countries can make major advancements in reducing maternal and child mortality, humanitarian goals that must be advanced, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa," said Minister Oda. "Canada believes that by bringing the joint forces of the G8 countries behind effective, practical steps the lives of mothers and millions of children can be saved."
Every year an estimated 500,000 women lose their lives during pregnancy or childbirth and nine million children die before their fifth birthday.
"I am pleased that Halifax has been chosen to host this meeting on international development. Our government is involving every region of Canada as our country hosts the G8 this year," said Defence Minister Peter MacKay. "The recent tragedy in Haiti and the overwhelming global response demonstrates that by mobilizing resources and efforts, the international community can make difference."
Ministers responsible for international development from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, as well as representatives of the European Union, will be attending the G8 International Development Ministers meeting. Minister Oda will be traveling to G8 countries beginning next week for consultations in advance of those talks. The outcome of the ministerial talks will contribute to the meeting of G8 Leaders' Summit, to be held in Muskoka, Ontario, in June 2010.
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Information:
Jessica Fletcher
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: media@acdi-cida.gc.ca
