Bond reaction to Foreign Secretary’s proposal for a global conference about the future architecture of aid
Last week, the Foreign Secretary David Lammy, spoke to the Lords International Relations Committee about UK aid and development and the UK aid cuts. During the session he proposed that the UK hosts “a conference that brings together the Western community on development and aid and how we spend that aid…” This was also covered by the Guardian, reporting that UK Foreign Office officials said the conference was likely to be in the early autumn.
In reaction to this proposal, Gideon Rabinowitz, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Bond, the UK network for NGOs said:
It is welcome that the Foreign Secretary wants to engage in conversations on the future of Official Development Assistance and reforming the global system. However, any potential discussions must involve the voices of lower-middle income countries, including local civil society actors who understand the specific needs and requirements of their communities. All decisions must be shaped and led by those closest to the issues.
At July’s Financing for Development conference in Spain, the UK has the opportunity to rebuild its reputation by supporting the global financial reform proposals put forward by lower-middle income countries and global civil society. That means supporting changes to the global financial system, enabling lower-middle income countries to mobilise public finance domestically and internationally, including debt relief, reform of the global tax system, tackling illicit financial flows and ensuring for better representation of these countries within global financial architecture.
If the Labour government is serious about its commitment to taking “a new, modern approach to development based on genuine respect, trust and partnership with the Global South,” it must follow through with meaningful and transparent engagement.
ENDS.
Notes for editors
- Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 350 civil society organisations from across the UK, and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.
- For further information, please contact Jess Salter, Media Adviser at Bond at [email protected] or call 07392972411.
