Development-related ministers from the Group of Eight countries will meet in Tokyo this weekend as host Japan grapples to implement pledges to boost development aid with the help of high-profile emerging donors.
In addition to smoothing the conflicting interests of multiple donors in the fight against poverty, a key role for Japan this weekend will be to guide developing countries in adapting to climate change challenges.
The development ministerial meeting comes during a critical midpoint year when the international community faces closer scrutiny on the progress made or setbacks encountered toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals. This list of eight commitments made by world leaders in 2000 include a pledge to halve the number of people worldwide living in extreme poverty by 2015.