Written question asked by Michael Moore (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 6 November 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 November 2008. It was answered by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Monday, 17 November 2008 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Development Aid: Conferences

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's objectives are for the Financing for Development Conference in Doha; what Ministerial and official level representation there will be from his Department as part of the British delegation to the summit; what discussions he has had with the (a) Prime Minister and (b) Chancellor of the Exchequer about this summit; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Department for International Development (DFID) wishes to see the Doha Conference reconfirm the commitment of developed, emerging and developing countries, originally expressed in 2002 at Monterrey, to work together to meet the challenges of financing for development and to meet the Millennium Development Goals. In support of this, developed countries should reaffirm that, despite current economic difficulties, they will meet their aid commitments and will work with developing countries to help them respond to current challenges.I will represent the UK Government at the conference, accompanied by a small delegation of officials from my Department.There is considerable ongoing co-ordination across Whitehall in preparation for the conference, with regular engagement from all relevant Departments.

Secondary information