Minister responsible for International Development Matt Robson will attend the United Nations Conference on Financing for Development (FfD) in Mexico next week. The conference is a prelude to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in September in Johnannesburg.

It begins on Monday 18 March and ends on Friday 22 March. The conference will be attended by some 50 leaders, including President Bush of the United States.

It is the first time that developed countries like the United States and New Zealand have met with developing countries to discuss how to better mobilse and generate resources for development.

Discussion will focus on how to build reliable financial systems in developing countries, and how best to create systems of good governance to attract trade and investment.

Matt Robson will take part in ministerial roundtables on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Mexico time). On Friday he will deliver a speech on behalf of New Zealand.

“This is an opportunity to introduce the new aid agency – NZAID (New Zealand Agency for International Development) – to the international community,” says Matt Robson.

“It is also a chance to look at not only how much aid we give, but whether it is doing the best job that it can.

“Unless we get this right, poverty will increasingly reach the borders of wealthy nations, as shown by the desperate boat loads of refugees that come down to our region in search of a better life.”

Matt Robson will also meet with Miguel Marin Bosch, Mexican Deputy Foreign Minister, to discuss disarmament issues for the year.

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