In September 2000, 189 countries pledged to halve the number of those in poverty by 2015. When we look at the results so far, hope mixes with despair. Over 100 million children are still unable to go to school. Each year, 10 million children die before their fifth birthday. 40 million are living with HIV and AIDS, and 5 million die of it each year.

And yet … progress is possible. China is reducing poverty, and India promises to do the same. More people have been lifted out of poverty in the last 50 years than in the previous 500. In the same period, adult illiteracy rates have halved, and life expectancy in developing countries has increased from 46 in 1960 to 64 now. The fight against global poverty can and must be won.

Poverty affects us all. Our globalised world is increasingly inter-connected. Both the "good things" -- like trade, travel, culture -- and the "bad things" -- like crime, conflict, environmental pollution -- all cross borders. That's why World Poverty Day is important for us all -- richer countries and poorer countries alike.

In October 2005, the 189 countries will come together again at the UN and ask themselves how to make faster progress. We need to push on four fronts.

We need more financial assistance, and to improve its effectiveness. Aids is only part of the battle, but there is a £6.6 billion Aids funding gap for this year alone. Early UN estimates suggest that overall aid may need to at least double if we are to achieve the targets for 2015. The UK proposal for an International Finance Facility seeks to deliver additional resources up front.

We need to create a global trading system that has clear rules and that is fair to all. That means markets which are not officially protected and goods which are sold at fair prices. The UK is pushing for greater progress on the WTO's Doha Development Round.

The burden of developing countries' debts stops them investing in poor people. In the last five years we have written off over $70 billion for nearly 30 countries: we can and will do more. At the recent annual multilateral meetings of the World Bank and IMF, the UK launched a new proposal to deliver debt relief to the poorest countries.

And there is the commitment of developing country governments themselves -- to develop their own strategies to beat poverty, as well as the fair, transparent, and efficient administrative systems that can bring that about.

Two things should drive us forward: the moral imperative to help our fellow human beings; and our understanding that the fight against poverty can be won. And if we do, then perhaps we can look forward to more days of prosperity in future.

Hilary Benn is UK Secretary of State for International Development.