United States Leads the World in Development Assistance

On April 11, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development released its summary of official development assistance for the year 2004. This report demonstrates the United States has been and remains the world leader in providing assistance to the developing world.

We are pleased to see that worldwide official development assistance in 2004 rose to its highest level ever, surpassing $78.6 billion for an aggregate increase of 4.6 percent. Once again, the United States is the leading donor nation with an increase of 14.1 percent in our official development assistance, bringing our total aid program to more than $19 billion. Official development assistance from the United States constitutes 24 percent of the world total, the highest share of such support in nearly 20 years. Since 2000, the United States has nearly doubled its aid to the developing world. Our current assistance levels are more than twice the commitment made by President Bush at the Monterrey Financing for Development Conference in 2002.

These levels are due to rise again significantly in the year 2005 because of the funds we have contributed to tsunami disaster relief and reconstruction and because the Millennium Challenge Corporation will begin to expend its funds. These figures demonstrate the strong U.S. commitment to development assistance. We will continue to ensure that this money is spent effectively and that it also is used to help galvanize support from the private sector.
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