Just a few statistics show why development and poverty reduction are so important to the UK.  More than a billion people, one in fifth of the world's population, live in extreme poverty - less than a euro a day. Every year more than half a million women die due to complications of pregnancy and child birth - 99% in developing countries.  10 million children die before their fifth birthday, most of them from preventable diseases. More than 113 million children do not go to school.

Not only is such suffering unacceptable, it is also in everyone's interests to stop it.  We are all affected by war and conflict, international crime, refugees, the trade in illegal drugs and the spread of diseases like HIV and AIDS, which often have their roots in - or are made worse by - poverty in developing countries. So people who have access to health care and education, sustainable environmental resources, and live in stable societies, are more likely to succeed and contribute to their country's prosperity, in turn reducing the risks of conflict and poverty and reducing reliance on overseas aid.

Fighting against global poverty

The UK considers France a key partner in the fight against global poverty. Our two countries have a long history of working together both within the EU and internationally.  The UK-French summit on 6 July 2009 confirmed the importance of joint work on development through the Millennium Development Goals reaffirming our overseas development assistance (ODA) commitments, and our work in the fields of education, and innovative financing for health.

The role of the British Embassy in Paris

The role of the British Embassy in Paris is to facilitate contact between the UK and France on development questions, and seek opportunities for further cooperation to achieve these and other objectives.  

That's just a short overview of our work on development, and the role of the British Embassy in Paris. You'll find further information on UK aid policy, through the UK Department for International Development (DFID) pages, in the "see also"/"useful links" section. Sign up to the quarterly DFID magazine online and learn more about UKAid in action: www.developments.org.uk

We will also regularly update UK thinking on major European or international meetings related to Development, such as at the UN, or the G8, through our "latest news" section on the right-side menu.

Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development

Douglas Alexander MP was appointed Secretary of State for International Development on 28 June 2007.

Douglas Alexander was previously Secretary of State for Transport and Secretary of State for Scotland from May 2006 to June 2007.