Written evidence submitted by NAT (National
AIDS Trust)
1. NAT (National AIDS Trust) welcomes the
opportunity to contribute to the inquiry into the Draft International
Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill.
2. NAT is the UK's leading charity dedicated
to transforming society's response to HIV. We develop policy and
campaign for change to stop the spread of HIV in the UK and internationally,
and improve the lives of people living with HIV. We provide fresh
thinking, expert advice and practical resources. An important
part of this work is advocacy and policy in support of critically
needed new HIV prevention technologies (NPTs) in development such
as microbicides and vaccines, which receive research funding from
the UK Department for International Development.
3. NAT particularly welcomes the proposal
within the Draft International Development (Official Development
Assistance Target) Bill to enshrine into law the target of allocating
at least 0.7% of the UK's Gross National Income to official development
assistance from 2013. Continued and increased commitment to HIV
and NPTs is vital to achieving the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs), particularly MDG 6 on combating HIV.
Is enshrining the ODA target in legislation likely
to affect the predictability of aid levels for developing countries?
3. In the current financial climate there
have been indications that maintenance of previous levels of support
for HIV and NPTs is not guaranteed. While given the economic circumstances
this is not unexpected, it is cause for great concern.
4. Placing a legal duty to ensure the target
is met will show the UK's commitment to maintaining and increasing
our support to providing ODA and increase the predictability of
spending on aid. It is vitally important that an appropriate portion
of these funds are dedicated to HIV and NPTs development.
What is the potential impact of the Draft Bill
on the actions of other countries in respect of meeting their
ODA commitments?
5. The UK has been an international leader
in terms of HIV and funding the development of NPTs. Other funders
often look to the UK to lead in this area. The Bill would act
as an important signal to others that the UK remains committed
to continuing this global leadership.
6. NAT believes this would encourage other
countries to take similar steps to increase their ODA spending
on HIV and NPTs development.
Is the legislation likely to affect poverty reduction
objectives for ODA expenditure as set out in the International
Development Act 2002?
7. Sustained and increased spending on ODA,
which the legislation will encourage, is necessary for the successful
development of safe, effective and affordable HIV vaccines and
microbicides. This in turn would be a step towards meeting the
objectives of improving the welfare of the population and furthering
sustainable development as outlined in the IDA 2002.
8. Widespread availability of NPTs will
dramatically increase the impact of HIV prevention efforts and
open the possibility of bringing the HIV and AIDS pandemic to
an end.
What is the likely impact on the contribution
to ODA from other government departments (ie non-Department for
International Development ODA expenditure)?
9. The Department of Health (DH) launched
the "Health is Global" strategy in September 2008 which,
importantly, adopts an international perspective on health. NAT
believes that this Bill would encourage other Government departments,
including the DH, to contribute to ODA as an important element
in achieving this global health strategy.
February 2010
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