The 2004 DAC report provides a full analysis of the evolution of flows of resources to developing countries, with a particular focus on official development assistance, and reports what is known on progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. An overview chapter by the Chair looks at two broad areas where the policies of DAC member governments could significantly improve the prospects of such progress: greater policy coherence - and more, but also more effective development co-operation. It also looks at a number of policy issues that have proved divisive within the development community, and suggests ways of making the debate on these more fruitful and constructive. Richard Manning, Chair of the DAC, will present the report.

Richard Manning was former Director General for Policy at the U.K. Department for International Development (DFID). He has worked for DFID and its predecessor agencies since 1965, including periods spent serving in West Africa and South East Asia and as Alternate Executive Director at the2003 World Bank. He has worked with the DAC over many years, and is currently Chair of a DAC Task Force on Aid Practices which recently produced a report on "Harmonising Donor Practices for Effective Aid Delivery".