Slowwww Progress

ONE's DATA Report is an exercise in accountability. It charts a course from past promises made to Africa to present delivery. The hopes and prosperity of the 'bottom billion' depend, in part, upon the fulfillment of the pact made between the G8 and African countries at the 2005 Gleneagles Summit.

At the 2005 Summit, G8 leaders made historic commitments to Africa, pledging to provide leadership and support in the fight to eliminate poverty, improve health, strengthen education, boost trade, cancel debt and increase effective aid by 2010. The DATA Report is ONE's annual, in-depth look at how the G8 are moving towards fulfilling these promises, both individually and collectively.

So what does the 2009 DATA Report reveal on progress towards the Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitment? A majority of the G8 is making progress, but two countries-Italy and France-are dragging down the entire G8's efforts.

By the end of 2008, the G8 had delivered only a third, or $7 billion, of the total $21.5 billion in aid committed by 2010. Some countries fared better than others: Canada, Japan and the US will meet-or beat-their relatively modest commitments; Germany and the UK continue to work valiantly towards their more ambitious targets. France's progress is disappointing, and Italy's performance is an utter failure. Looking ahead to the end of 2009, ONE projects that the G8 will have delivered only a half of their commitment. That means by 2010, the G8 must deliver the entire other half.

What are some of the other key findings in the 2009 DATA Report? While aid effectiveness is improving, progress needs to accelerate; smart aid continues to deliver lifesaving results; the G8 is collectively failing to "make trade work for Africa;" and although the G8 are keeping their word on debt, the global economic crisis threatens to ruin past improvements.

With only 18 months to go before the 2010 deadline, it will be an uphill climb for the G8 to fulfill their commitments. But it's hard to imagine a more important time to keep these critical promises.

- from ONE.org