UNITED NATIONS GIRLS EDUCATION INITIATIVE

11 July 2006 - A year ago, world leaders at the G8 summit in Gleneagles signed up to an unparalleled set of commitments on global poverty.

They agreed a comprehensive plan to tackle the problems faced by poor people and poor countries around the globe, including: an extra $50 billion in aid by 2010 – with half for Africa, tackling corruption, writing off debt, making AIDS drugs available to all, tackling climate change, and more investment in health and education.

The summit also agreed that further progress in developing countries depends, above all, on action by their own leaders and own people.

So one year on – where are we now? If you marched in Edinburgh or stood in Hyde Park or wrote to the government asking for these changes, how do you know that these pledges have been turned into action?

To mark the anniversary of Gleneagles, DFID has published a short booklet: ‘G8 Gleneagles: One Year On’ that highlights progress by the international community in twelve areas – from aid and debt cancellation to fighting disease and promoting business.

"The UK Government expects the public to continue to hold its political leaders to account for the commitments made at Gleneagles in 2005. And we are committed to working with the leaders of Africa and international partners towards the ultimate goal of ending extreme poverty."
- Tony Blair, Gordon Brown & Hilary Benn in 'G8 Gleneagles: One Year On’