We reiterated that HIPC debt relief should be additional to official development assistance, which should be provided on appropriately concessional or grant terms. We strongly reaffirm the importance of greater access for developing countries to world markets, and particularly call upon countries to open their markets further to the exports of the poorest countries. In this context, we welcome the recent initiatives taken by a number of countries. Furthermore, the industrial countries have a major role to play by following policies that ensure sustainable, non-inflationary growth for the world economy. Such concerted actions by both rich and poor countries are needed to achieve the International Development Goals.
Conflict remains a major obstacle to improving the lives of millions, especially in Africa.
Helping countries resolve conflicts and reestablish the basis for economic and social progress is a critical priority for the international community. Large protracted arrears pose special challenges for several conflict-affected countries. As many of these countries are poor and heavily indebted, we welcome the work done by the Bank and Fund to further enhance their capacity to assist them, including through debt relief. We welcome the IMF's efforts to put its emergency post-conflict assistance on concessional terms. We agree on the importance of maintaining a strong focus on performance, including transparency in military spending to ensure that debt relief is used to reduce poverty and is not diverted to military spending.