Department for International Development: Annual Report (Hansard, 26 March 2001)

§ Baroness Amos

The DFID Annual Report of 2001 is published today. It looks back at a year in which considerable progress was made in strengthening international efforts to reduce poverty: twenty-two countries have now qualified for HIPC debt relief; increasing numbers of poor countries are producing comprehensive poverty reduction strategies; and the European Union has agreed to duty-free access for all imports except arms from least developed countries. As this report shows, the Department for International Development is a driving force behind these and many other efforts to reduce global poverty.

This year's report provides a more detailed assessment of progress against the International Development Targets broken down by region. The report also shows progress at meeting the objectives set in our 1998 Public Service Agreement which are based on the performance of our top 30 partners in achieving the International Development Targets. The 2000 Spending Round agreed substantial additional resources to enhance our existing efforts. Our plans for allocation of these resources are set out in the report.