GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND
Letter to the Chairman of the Committee
from the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
It gives me great pleasure to enclose the Global
Opportunities Fund's second Annual Report which will be laid before
the House as a Command Paper on 12 October 2005.
I launched the GOF in May 2003 to focus the
FCO's programme spending more closely on our priorities; and to
bring greater professionalism to our programme and project management
work.
The GOF's second year has built upon the foundations
laid in 2003-04. Its programmes are now directly aligned to the
Strategic Priorities which continue to support an impressive portfolio
of projects, many of which are beginning to bear fruit. The Fund
has also played a key role in the evolution of the wider FCO programme
budget.
From 2006-07, it will expand to include all
strategic programmes (Drugs and Crime Fund, Migration and Overseas
Territories programme) so that the FCO can provide well-structured
and coherent support to its overarching strategy.
I am aware of the Committee's continuing interest
in the GOF and trust you will find this second Annual Report an
interesting and informative read. I would be happy, as always,
to arrange a separate informal briefing on the progress of GOF
in year three and the wider changes taking place to the programme
budget if required.
Jack Straw MP
Foreign Secretary
10 October 2005
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