G8 L'AQUILA SUMMIT AND THE GLENEAGLES COMMITMENTS

That this House notes the fourth anniversary of the G8 Gleneagles summit on 6 July 2009, and recalls the commitments made to the developing world at that summit, including to increase Official Development Assistance by $50 billion per year by 2010; deeply regrets the failure to honour these and other pledges in years of sustained global economic growth and believes that in a time of economic downturn concerted action to fulfil these outstanding pledges is now essential to prevent a dramatic reversal of progress towards the Millennium Development Goals; further notes the upcoming G8 summit in L'Aquila, Italy on 8-10 July 2009 as an opportunity to reaffirm the G8's commitment to meet its Gleneagles pledges, but is concerned that Italy, as chair and host nation, has the worst record of the G8 nations and has actually reduced its aid budget; and therefore calls on the Government to provide the necessary leadership on development issues to ensure that every member of the G8 recommits to the Gleneagles pledges and takes action to implement them.