In 2000 the international community agreed to the Millennium Declaration. In 2005 the declaration was made more concrete, especially for Africa, through promises made in the Gleneagles G8 Communiqué. These promises need to be met by 2010 in order to help African nations on their way towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

The hopes and prosperity of the 'bottom billion' depend, in part, upon this pact's fulfilment. Today's world offers many challenges - challenges the world faces together. To meet them, it is essential that the bonds of trust between North and South, East and West and rich and poor are strengthened. Keeping the promises that have been made is both critical to building and sustaining this trust.

The moral, economic and security importance of working together towards achieving the MDGs raises important issues about how to deal with those nations - including this year's G8 Summit host, Italy - which drastically default on promises. This should not be tolerated: G8 leaders must challenge their poorly performing peers.

Fortunately, there are still significant opportunities to get back on track with commitments in 2009, including the G8 Summit in July, annual budget procedures and other upcoming multilateral forums. The G8 can still make good progress against their 2010 promises if the political will is generated. This year's report has evolved in some methodological aspects from last year:

Firstly, the report not only analyses past performance but also offers a more detailed projection of 2009 disbursements, based upon the latest budget figures and consultations with donor governments.

Secondly, to facilitate better comparative analysis, ONE has used 2008 prices, not 2004 prices, to assess performance against promises.

Thirdly, this report is more robust in its analysis of the quality of development assistance, building on momentum from the Accra High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness. Fourthly, ONE did not include a chapter on governance and security or a chapter on commitments by African leaders this year. Those functions are appropriately being offered by the Africa Progress Panel's Annual Report, as well as by the efforts of the African Monitor, the African platforms of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation's Index of African Governance and other civil society efforts focused on holding African governments accountable to their citizens. These partners need more support from the international community.

As always, ONE calls for better and more timely data. Above all, it calls for active citizens to hold governments accountable for delivery. Wherever citizens are more engaged, states are more effective and governments are more honest. In 2009 this report can at least chart a path towards partial promise keeping. It can also lay the groundwork for a fresh set of more accountable commitments - which ONE advocates must be made by 2010 - which can drive multilateral momentum for development through to 2015.

In 2010 the eyes of the world will be on Africa as it hosts the football World Cup. The stage is set for a powerful and renewed African vision, flowing from the passion and hopes of African citizens, entrepreneurs, school children and farm labourers. This vision must direct the international constituency of support for Africa and further inspire us all to demand justice and opportunity for the inhabitants of this dynamic continent.