§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
What new resources they intend to commit to the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) agreed at the G8 Summit in Kananaskis. [HL5110]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Amos)Over the course of the last year, a number of African leaders have been working together to draw up the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) which seeks to put in place the policies necessary in Africa for sustainable development. In response to this initiative, G8 leaders prepared an Africa Action Plan, which was finalised at the G8 Summit in Kananaskis.
The G8 plan includes a commitment that half or more of the new development funds announced at Monterrey (ie 6 billion dollars) could be used in African countries, but only if they put the NEPAD principles into practice and create the right policy environment.
NEPAD itself is not a funding mechanism, and is not envisaged as a body that will implement projects. It is not therefore something that the UK will fund directly.
We are, though, committed to increasing significantly the levels of development assistance provided to Africa. We have already doubled our bilateral assistance to Africa since 1997, and will increase it by a further 50 per cent so that by 2006 we will be spending £1 billion in Africa each year.
§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action will be taken under the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) agreed at the G8 Summit in Kananaskis to reduce the debt burden of African countries and to improve trade links between Africa and G8 countries. [HL5111]
§ Baroness AmosOver the course of the last year, a number of African leaders have been working together to draw up the New Partnership for Africa's Development which seeks to put in place the policies necessary in Africa for sustainable development. In response to this initiative, G8 leaders prepared an Africa Action Plan, which was finalised at the G8 Summit in Kananaskis. As part of this, G8 leaders agreed their commitment to ensure the full financing of the enhanced heavily indebted poor countries initiative and that up to an extra 1 billion US dollars should be provided for the HIPC Trust Fund. G8 leaders also "reaffirmed their commitment to conclude negotiations no later than 1 January 2005 on further trade liberalisation in the Doha round of multilateral38WA trade negotiations taking full account of the particular circumstances, needs and requirements of developing countries, including in Africa". In addition, G8 countries will work toward the objective of duty free and quota free access for all products originating from least developed countries.
The full version of the Africa Action Plan; which gives further details on these and other areas, has been placed in the House Library.
§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are entirely satisfed with the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) agreed at the G8 Summit at Kananaskis. (HL5112]
§ Baroness AmosThe New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) is an African initiative that sets out a framework for conflict resolution and sustainable development in Africa. At Kananaskis, the G8 agreed on an Action Plan for Africa as an initial response to NEPAD. The plan is a good first step in what we see as a long-term process of building a new partnership with Africa. There is more to be clone to implement the commitments expressed by both the Africans and the G8.