Today, DFID hosts the European launch of the Commission on Growth and Development’s global consultation series. The two day event will be the first opportunity for European policy-makers, business leaders and NGOs to discuss the Commission’s work on how to achieve faster and more sustained economic growth in the developing world.

The Growth Commission was set up just under two years ago to provide the best possible advice to policymakers for achieving rapid and sustained economic growth in developing countries - defined as annual growth of 7% over a period of 25 years or more.

Speaking in support of the Commission, Secretary of State Douglas Alexander said:

“We simply won’t meet the MDGs without more rapid growth in poor countries.

“In those countries that are growing quickly and consistently, jobs and opportunities are already opening up for the poor, enabling them to make real strides in improving their standard of living. But in those that are not, life is much, much harder.

“DFID is committed to working with our partners to find ways to make economic opportunity and prosperity a reality for all the world’s poor.”

The Commission is chaired by Mike Spence - Nobel Laureate and former Dean of the Stanford Business School. Of its 21 members, 15 are from developing countries.

The Commission is sponsored by DFID, along with the Governments of Australia, the Netherlands, and Sweden, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the World Bank. Their final report will be published in summer 2008.