HL Deb 20 March 1997 vol 579 c81WA
Lord Judd

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the agreed action resulting from their most recent discussions in Washington and New York on overseas development co-operation matters, debt of the poorest countries and the economic, social and political situation in Africa.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

During my visit to Washington from 10–12 March, I held discussions with the State Department, USAID, the Managing Director of the IMF and the President of the World Bank on a wide range of issues affecting the prospects for economic and social development across Africa and in specific countries. I also pressed for early progress on the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative.

In New York on 13 March, I chaired a meeting of the UN Secretary General's Panel of High Level Personalities on African Development. Discussions focused on governance and on food security but also covered the HIPC Initiative and the importance of increasing foreign investment in Africa and developing African private sector activity.