To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 19 June 2008, Official Report, columns 1165-6W, on Africa: EU Strategic Partnership, what criteria his Department is using to monitor progress under the strategy against the Millennium Development Goals. (223690)

The Africa EU Joint Strategic Partnership and action plan were agreed by EU and AU member states at the Lisbon summit in December 2007. The action plan consists of eight Partnerships which contain 22 priority actions with agreed activities under each. On the European side, EU member states have taken a lead on the different partnerships. This role will include monitoring implementation of the agreed priority actions, in consultation with African partners.

The EU Africa MDG Partnership includes four priority actions, with a set of agreed activities listed under each. The UK Government are currently mapping ongoing and planned work on these activities and identifying gaps, in consultation with European and African partners. Once this mapping is completed, the principal criteria for assessing progress will be (a) delivery of planned or ongoing activities; (b) action to address gaps; and (c) whether a wide range of stakeholders, such as civil society organisations, are able to contribute their views and ideas.