International Development, Department for

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UK government department with responsibility for promoting international development and the reduction of poverty and for managing the UK's programme of assistance to poorer countries. It superseded the Overseas Development Administration in 1997. The department works with other governments, businesses, and organizations such as the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN), and the World Bank. It is committed to an internationally agreed target to halve the proportion of people living in extreme poverty, and to the provision of basic healthcare and universal access to primary education, by 2015. The majority of the department's assistance is focused on the poorest countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, but it is also working to eliminate poverty in certain Eastern European countries. Douglas Alexander became the secretary of state for international development from June 2007 in succession to Hilary Benn.

The emblem reflects the Vatican's importance as the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. The colours of the flag are based on the gold and silver of the papal keys. Effective date: 8 June 1929. >>