September 23, 2010
The United Nations, New York - The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, today welcomed the release of the outcome document of the UN Plenary on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The outcome document highlights the achievements of the past decade and outlines a plan to accelerate progress and achieve the MDGs by the year 2015.
"Canada has supported the collective achievement of the MDGs since they were adopted," said Minister Oda. "We welcome this statement of the continued commitment to achieving these eight key goals, which will benefit the world community's poorest and most vulnerable people."
During his address to the High-level UN Plenary, Prime Minister Harper noted the significant progress Canada has made toward meeting the MDGs through effective and accountable international assistance. He reaffirmed Canada's commitment to help the world's most vulnerable and announced an additional $540 million over three years to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, bringing Canada's total contribution to the global fund to more than $1.5 billion since 2002.
Canada is proud of its contributions, including the doubling of overall international aid to $5 billion by 2010-2011 and, more specifically, the doubling of aid to Africa to $2.1 billion in 2008-2009.
"The outcome document highlights the need to move ahead in improving maternal, newborn, and child health," noted Minister Oda. "That challenge led Canada to champion the Muskoka Initiative this summer at the G-8. The initiative will deliver targeted and effective help to the most vulnerable mothers and children. Canada has committed to provide $1.1 billion in new and additional funding to that end."
The Government of Canada will continue working with its partners in advancing the MDGs, especially through the High-level UN Plenary. Prime Minister Stephen Harper's address to the Plenary on Tuesday, September 21 can be found at PM website.
More details can be found on Canada's contribution to the global effort to reach the Millennium Development Goals at CIDA's website.
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Information:
Isabelle Bouchard
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
Telephone: 819-953-6238
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: 819-953-6534
