23 Samh 2011, 17:56
Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pat Breen, TD, and Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for Trade and Development Jan O’Sullivan TD will represent Ireland at the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan, South Korea from November 29th to December 1st.
The conference marks a key milestone in the international effort to strengthen the quality of development assistance. It will focus on current global development challenges, such as Climate Change, ensuring aid effectiveness in fragile states and strengthening partnerships with emerging economies, such as China and Brazil. The Forum aims to agree a global framework for aid and development in the run-up to the 2015 target date for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, and beyond.
The forum will take place over three days. It is anticipated there will be over 3,000 delegates including high-level representatives from more than 100 countries.
Speaking today, Committee Chairman, Pat Breen TD said: “A recent analysis by the European Commission ranks Ireland first within the EU in implementing its aid effectiveness commitments. While this is an achievement in itself, it also gives Ireland legitimacy at the forthcoming Forum to call for greater efforts by others on making aid work better. Working closely with Minister O’Sullivan, I will bring a clear message to Busan that more effective aid benefits all. I would like to see some clear outcomes from the Forum on poverty reduction, in the fight against hunger, on transparency and accountability and on the importance of civil society in driving development. The Forum has the potential to influence profoundly for the better aid policy from both a donor and recipient country perspective.”
On day one of the Forum, a meeting of parliamentarians will discuss the critical role of parliament in aid and development effectiveness and will assess progress and setbacks in advancing this agenda. Deputy Breen will represent Ireland at that meeting. The results of this discussion will be presented to Ministers on day two of the event.
Ends
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Committee Membership
Pat Breen, TD (Chairman)
Eric Byrne, TD
Bernard J Durkan, TD
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, TD
Michael McNamara, TD
Dara Murphy, TD
Dan Neville, TD
Seán Ó Fearghaíl, TD
Maureen O’Sullivan, TD
Senators
Deirdre Clune,
Mark Daly,
Lorraine Higgins,
Michael Mullins,
David Norris,
Jim Walsh.