Scotland can lead on international development
30 Apr 2014 04:14 PM
An independent
Scotland could be a world leader in international development, External Affairs
and International Development Minister Humza Yousaf will say today.
Figures from the
Centre for Development’s Commitment to Development Index show the
influence that countries of Scotland’s size, such as Norway, Sweden and
Ireland can have in making a difference.
Under
independence, Scotland is committed to meeting the United Nation’s target
of spending 0.7% of Gross National Income on aid – and to enshrining that
commitment in law.
Mr Yousaf
said:
“We know
that countries of Scotland’s size can make huge changes to the lives of
people in the developing world. Independent countries such as Norway, Sweden,
Finland and Ireland all rank higher than the UK in the Centre for
Development’s tables.
“An
independent Scotland could have a dramatic impact in reducing poverty and
improving lives in the developing world.
“The
Scottish Government has an ambitious vision of the role Scotland could play as
a global citizen. We have a unique contribution to offer the world and are
already making a real difference through our people’s expertise on
climate change and energy, education, health improvement and research along
with our innovative approach to international development.
“But with
the powers of independence we could do so much more, ensuring that never again
do we fail to meet our promises to the world’s poorest.
“For 42 of
the last 43 years the UK have failed to meet the United Nations target to spend
0.7% of GNI on aid – resulting in £87.5 billion of missing aid over
the period since 1970 – aid that would definitely have saved and changed
lives.”
Notes To
Editors
The CDI
currently ranks overall contributions to development. This takes
into account the impact of trade, finance, migration, environment, security and
technology as well as aid.
No.
|
Country
|
1
|
Denmark
|
2
|
Sweden
|
3
|
Norway
|
4
|
Luxembourg
|
5
|
Netherlands
|
6
|
Finland
|
7
|
Ireland
|
8
|
United Kingdom
|
9
|
New Zealand
|
10
|
Belgium
|
http://www.cgdev.org/initiative/commitment-development-index/index