§ 16. Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress she is making with her plans for halving world poverty by 2015. [89767]
§ Clare ShortGreat progress has already been made this century— more people have climbed out of poverty in the last 50 years than in the previous 500—but we mustcontinue with our efforts at every level to meet this ambitious target. The plans for halving world poverty by 2015 are in place and set out in the 1999 Departmental Report, working both with our partners in country and internationally. It is achievable if the international system works together. It requires greater coherence of aid, trade, environment, agriculture and economic reform policies. We are engaging positively with all our partners to this end.