From promises to delivery: Aid, debt relief and parliamentarians

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From promises to delivery Aid, debt relief and
parliamentarians
Alan Hudson, Overseas Development
Institute http//www.odi.org.uk A.Hudson_at_odi.org.u
k
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G8 promises on aid
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G8 promises on debt relief

• To cancel 18 countries debts to WB, AfDF and IMF
• Amounts to a debt write-off of 40 bn. (55 bn.?)
• Will reduce annual debt-service payments of the
  18 by 1-2 bn. (10 of aid)
• Will provide more, and more predictable,
  resources.

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Question marks on aid promises

• Will the aid increases be sufficient and soon
  enough?
• Basically, no. Still only 0.36 ODA/GNI by 2010.
• Will the promises be delivered?
• Budgetary constraints
• Will the promises translate into genuine new aid
  to Africa, delivered effectively?
• Yes, but aid figures flattered (OECD DAC)

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Question marks on debt relief

• Are all needy countries and debts to all
  creditors included?
• No.
• Will the deal provide additional resources?
• Very probably.
• Will debt relief be irrevocable? What conditions
  will be attached?
• Unclear.
• Will there be a sustainable exit from debt?
• Probably not.

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The rocky road from promises to delivery

• Watching the question marks and the outcomes
• Monitoring implementation Transparency,
  accountability and learning
• Ensuring accountability through the Africa
  Partnership Forum?
• Demanding democratic accountability
• Parliaments Overlooked but crucial
• North, south and global/mutual networks