Foundation Commends UK Government for Commitment to the World’s Poor - Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

SEATTLE -- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation welcomes today’s news that the U.K. government will deliver on its promises to the poorest people in the world, despite the current economic downturn, and achieve the EU target to increase development assistance to 0.56 percent of national income by 2010.

“The U.K. government’s pledge to increase the amount of money it gives to poor countries at this time will contribute to real progress in the fight against poverty and disease,” said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “We know that progress is possible on the major challenges facing poor people across the world, even in difficult times. It takes sustained and smart investments to maintain progress and reach shared global goals.”

“Along with recent positive news from the United States and Germany, this shows that G8 countries are able to meet their ODA targets. We hope that all G8 countries will honor their previous commitments in the fight against poverty and disease by the time of the G8 Summit in July.” 

“We are committed to working with governments and other partners in Europe and around the world. Like them, we are working to ensure that gains made so far to combat poverty and improve health are not reversed because of the global economic crisis,” said Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.