The attention of the world is rightly focussed on the awful impact of the tsunami in Asia.

There must be very few people who do not feel huge sympathy for the nations, communities, families and individuals who have been affected.

The scale of the generosity shown by the people of Worcester, of our fellow citizens in the UK and from the world at large indicates the enormity of the tragedy that has unfolded since Boxing Day.

The impact on those countries directly affected will last a lifetime.

I believe that if any good is to come from this natural horror, then we in the richer nations also need to share a lifetime of commitment to help our fellow world citizens through sustained aid and support to the poorer nations of the world.

The global media coverage that brings images of devastation in tsunami-stricken countries direct to places like Tolladine or Battenhall is a modern phenomenon.

Our world is getting smaller.

We are now more closely linked with peoples we have never met, or indeed, are ever likely to meet.

This interdependence has to be recognised as a feature of globalisation.

Increased awareness via the media has set a challenge to the rich countries of the world to respond.

So far, we have responded magnificently as a nation. But what happens next month, or next year?

From the tragic man-made catastrophe of September 11 2001, to the natural disaster of December 26, 2004, our shrinking world means, more than ever before, that the richest person in the richest country in the world is linked to the fortunes of the poorest person in the poorest country.

Whilst enlightened self-interest, through prevention where possible of repeated events such as 9/11 or the tsunami, may be the motivator for some to look at our international obligations, I believe we have a moral responsibility to act as well.

The public has responded so well to the appeal for help over the past days, as they did for Live Aid, Band Aid and subsequent appeals.

The challenge is to sustain this interest and support for years to come. Writing off the debts owed by the poorest nations to the rich West helps enormously.

The UK has led the world in recent years, granting 100 per cent debt relief in return for the commitment to instead spend that cash on education and health in those countries benefiting.

We have set out our timetable to achieve the internationally recognised target of 0.7 per cent of national income to be spent on development aid. The UK government will spend 2005 persuading others to join us.

In seeking to double aid for developing countries, we believe the historic Millennium Development Goals the world agreed to, can be met - that by 2015 every child would be at school; that avoidable infant deaths would be prevented and that poverty is halved.

The UK has important roles to play in 2005 in the G8 and the EU, in securing the Doha Development Round on trade, and making it the first ever world trade agreement to be in the interests of the poorest countries.

Through the dark days following the tsunami disaster, our country, and I'm proud to say our city, found its way to help strangers in far away places.

For some good to come out of this, we all need to warmly embrace an on-going commitment to the poorest nations. It is an obligation placed on us and a duty we should relish delivering.