Annan urges developed nations to meet development aid target

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Saturday urged developed countries to meet the targeted economic development assistance of 0.7 percent of their gross domestic product to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the Asian-African Summit in Jakarta, Annan revealed that five countries -- Denmark, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden -- have achieved the 0.7 percent target. "Other governments have come up with a timetable for achieving the target: France, Germany, Finland, Ireland, Spain and the United Kingdom," he said, adding that Japan has reiterated its commitment to reaching the 0.7 percent level but has not put forward a timetable.

Annan stressed that economic development of the poor countries is the highest priority of the global economic development.

Source: Xinhua