June 21, 2013
OTTAWA — Canada welcomes the release of the second comprehensive accountability report on G-8 development-related commitments. The 2013 Lough Erne Accountability Report builds on the commitment to accountability and transparency initiated under Canada's G-8 presidency with the release of the Muskoka Accountability Report in 2010. The report highlights significant progress made during the last decade in the fight against poverty.
"Together, Canada and our G-8 partners have helped achieve strong results on poverty reduction, global health, and economic growth in developing countries," said the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of International Cooperation. "We helped reduce the incidence of diseases, and provided access to immunization and education to children all across the developing world. We helped reduce the number of mothers dying in childbirth. We helped people gain access to nutritious food. We helped transform Africa's ability to tackle conflict."
The report outlines the strong contribution Canada has made to the achievement of the G-8's collective commitments. It shows that Canada is on target with its commitments within the Muskoka Initiative on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. Canada also received positive ratings on:
- increasing official development assistance, which helped countries grow their economies;
- establishing mechanisms for recovery of assets stolen through corruption; and
- promoting duty-free, quota-free market access for least-developed countries.
"I am pleased that Canada's overall performance is rated very positively. The report shows that Canada delivers on its commitments," added Minister Fantino. "Looking forward, Canada will continue to work with its G-8 partners to reduce poverty and promote sustainable economic growth in the developing world."
Economic Action Plan 2013 reaffirms Canada's commitment to help achieve sustainable economic growth in developing countries through the promotion of responsible and transparent extractive resources development. The new Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development will maintain the mandate of poverty alleviation and the ability to respond to humanitarian crises.
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