In these difficult global economic conditions - with developing countries suffering from falling levels of investment, export income and remittance flows, and as a weakening pound affects the reach of UK Official Development Assistance - it has become even more essential to ensure that every pound of aid we spend is effective and has the greatest possible impact on reducing global poverty. This report highlights some of the key issues of aid effectiveness in what is a crucial year for international development. With only five years to go until the Millennium Development Goals must be met and with the commitments made under the Paris Declaration due to be fulfilled this year, there is a vital need for Parliamentarians to engage with the aid effectiveness agenda.