§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement on the international development issues discussed at the G8 Summit. [118995]
§ Hilary BennThe G8 met in Evian on 1–3 June and discussed a number of issues relating to international development
On Africa, significant progress was made on areas such as conflict resolution. It was agreed to expand the group of Africa Personal Representatives and meet as the Africa Partners Forum in November 2003.The G8 supported the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, as part of wider work on corruption. We are now working towards a Conference on the Initiative in mid-June.There was support for the International Finance Facility, which would significantly increase volumes of aid, up to 2015. Finance Ministers were asked to report by September on financing instruments, including this Facility.1099WThere was a commitment to making progress at the WTO Ministerial in Cancun.The outcome on Access to Medicines includes some actions for G8 countries, which we will push forward in coming months in our country programmes.The UK announced a further $80 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, while calling for improvements in its management. Other EU countries will announce their commitments at the European Council in late June.The G8 renewed their commitment to eradicating polio by 2005.