17/04/2003 - This OECD Development Assistance Committee High Level meeting takes place at a time of increasing donations and heightened economic and political concerns. Development Ministers and heads of aid agencies responsible for 95% of aid will discuss the orientation of aid policies.

Together with senior officials from the World Bank, the IMF and theUNDP, the Ministers will focus on: monitoring the progress of aid effectiveness; mutual accountability between donor and developing countries, including the NEPAD; and the role of the private sector, infrastructure investment and agriculture in fostering economic growth and poverty reduction in developing countries.

The Chair of the OECD's Development Assistance Committee, Jean-Claude Faure will summarise the outcome of the meeting at a news conference at 2 p.m. on Wednesday 23 April at OECD headquarters. He will also introduce the future DAC Chair, Richard Manning.

For further information or to attend the news conference, journalists are invited to contact Helen Fisher, OECD Media Relations Division (tel. [33] 1 45 24 80 97).