Speaking at an Oxfam Scotland parliamentary reception less than two weeks before this years' G8, (to be held in Japan), the Head of Oxfam Scotland, Judith Robertson, reminded parliamentarians that Scotland's role didn't end when the G8 leaders made poverty reduction promises at Gleneagles, but must continue and ensure that those promises are kept.

Commenting Ms Robertson said: " In 2005 the people of Scotland campaigned like never before to get the G8 to act to drop the debt and provide more and better aid. As a result of public pressure, not least from the quarter of a million people who marched in Edinburgh on 2nd July 2005, the G8 leaders at Gleneagles made significant promises to reduce poverty.

" The G8 promised to increase aid levels by $50bn annually by 2010, however, according to Oxfam research, an aid gap of $30bn remains that will cost five million lives.

" Scotland, as the country where the promises were made, and Scots, as the campaigners who helped leverage those promises, must make sure that that work was not in vain by keeping up pressure on the G8 nations to deliver.

" In Japan the G8 must take action to get their promises back on track and make stronger and urgent commitments to tackling global poverty, especially given the increasing threats from climate change and rising food prices. "

First Minister Alex Salmond , MSP added, "I commend the efforts of Oxfam in working towards eradicating poverty both at home and abroad.

"2008 marks the halfway point to the deadline for reaching the Millennium Development Goals and much more needs to be done. I hope that the forthcoming G8 summit will recognize that the clock is ticking and focus their energies on ensuring these Goals are met and keeping faith with the commitments to the world made in Scotland.

"I look forward to continuing the positive and productive relationship between the Scottish Government and Oxfam in Scotland to carry on the global fight against poverty."

Oxfam are campaigning around Scotland to get Scots to send their wishes for poverty reduction to the G8 in Japan. This year's G8 coincides with the famous Japanese Tanabata festival, where people tie wishes to bamboo trees. Scots can take part online at www.oxfam.org.uk or at a series of Oxfam events around Scotland in the lead up to the G8.

ENDS