Press Release

28 June 2007

Douglas Alexander appointed International Development Secretary

Douglas Alexander, appointed as Secretary of State for International Development today, confirmed his commitment to continuing the fight against world poverty.

 “Over the last ten years, the fight to eliminate world poverty has been at the heart of this government's policy. Our commitment to helping poor countries is recognised the world over. We are keeping our promises on aid. Our budget has tripled in the last ten years, it’s set to grow further. We are making a real difference to poor people’s lives. DFID lifts three million people out of poverty every year.

“But there are still challenges ahead. Seventy-two million children still do not go to school, half a million women die due to complications during pregnancy or childbirth. Conflict and climate change continue to wreak havoc on the lives of the poorest.

“That’s why I am delighted to have been appointed Secretary of State for International Development. I will continue to press the world’s richest nations to live up to the promises they made in 2005 and to work with developing countries to make poverty history.”

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

Biography: Douglas Alexander MP

Notes for Editors

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For further information, contact DFID Press Office on 020 7023 0600, e-mail pressoffice@dfid.gov.uk or call our Public Enquiries Point on 0845 300 4100.