Minister Oda Concludes Successful Meetings With European Counterparts on Upcoming G8 and Maternal and Child Health Initiative

February 26, 2010

Ottawa, Ontario-The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, today concluded a successful trip to Europe where she met with some of her G8 counterparts and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to discuss the Prime Minister's Maternal and Child Health Initiative for the upcoming June 2010 G8 Summit.

"This week's discussions with European Development Ministers and the OECD resulted in strong support for Canada's plans to focus our G8's development agenda on saving the lives of mothers and children in the poorest regions," said Minister Oda. "It was equally important to them that we further our collective work on increasing accountability and effectiveness in international assistance, another important matter for Prime Minister Stephen Harper."

Minister Oda's visit to London, Brussels, Paris and Berlin was part of Canada's preparatory work for April 26-28 when G8 Development Ministers will meet in Halifax to discuss progress on maternal and child health.

According to the World Health Organization, every year an estimated 500,000 women lose their lives during pregnancy or childbirth and nine million children die before their fifth birthday. The Prime Minister, noting that this is the area in which the least progress has been achieved, has said that Canada will be making this the top development priority at June's Summit.
Information:

Jessica Fletcher
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
Telephone: 819-953-6238

Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: 819-953-6534
E-mail: media@acdi-cida.gc.ca