Media Notification - Tackling World Poverty Conference, Dublin Castle, 11 October 2005

The Government are preparing Ireland's first ever White Paper on Ireland's cooperation with developing countries.

On 11 October, the Advisory Board to Development Cooperation Ireland (the Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs responsible for managing the official aid programme) will convene a stakeholders conference as part of the consultation process on the White Paper.

The Advisory Board is chaired by Mr. Chris Flood.

The Conference will bring together representatives of development NGOs, missionary organizations, academia, trade unions, business, political parties, the media and the social partners.

Among the speakers at the event will be:

• Ms. Lindiwe Sisulu, Minister of Housing, South Africa

• Dr. Kadi Sesay, Minister for Trade and Industry, Sierra Leone

• Mr. Mahmood Ayub, Director for Strategy and Operation, Vice-President for Africa, World Bank

• Mr. Richard Manning, Chair, Development Assistance Committee, OECD

• Mr. Anwarul Chowdhury, UN Under-Secretary General and High Representative United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

The Conference will run from 09.30 to 17.30.

Members of the press planning to attend this event should let the Press Office know by close of business on Friday 7^th October.

Please contact:

Paula Molloy (01) 4082550                                     Owen Feeney (01) 4082275

ENDS ++++

3^rd October 2005

Press Office