The current crisis could result in an additional 90 million people a year living in extreme poverty. And a global recovery will not be sustainable unless it benefits the poorest and provides them with the opportunities they need to escape poverty. Governments must not only reaffirm their commitments to the Millennium Development Goals, but ensure that we honour our previous commitments to increase development assistance to improve health, education and the environment in the poorest countries.

So the international community must respond quickly to help the most vulnerable. First, by ensuring continued progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. Second, through increased support to middle- and low-income countries from the Multilateral Development Banks. Third, by both targeting support towards investment in employment and social protection and meeting our aid-for-trade commitments, helping the poorest countries – and their citizens – to take advantage of, and play their full role in supporting, the opportunities of global economic recovery.