Make Poverty History: G7 Ministers Could Do Better

Make Poverty History Says: G7 Ministers Could Do Better

Although finance ministers from the world ’s seven richest nations made no definite commitments to provide the cash or trade justice needed to eradicate poverty, the G7 did, for the first time agree that aid will need to be massively increased, and that a new financing deal is needed to reduce poverty. Also , finance ministers acknowledged they need to make aid more effective.

Ashok Sinha (Jubilee Debt Campaign), speaking on behalf of Make Poverty History said:

‘The G7 did not agree any new resources for the fight against poverty. But they have made important concessions, including a willingness to fund 100% multilateral debt cancellation, and agreeing that IMF gold could be used for this. The door is now open for a definitive deal on debt at the Spring Meetings of the World Bank and IMF, which doesn’t raid existing aid budgets or come with damaging economic strings. All eyes will now be focussed on Washington to see if the G7 has the moral courage to walk through that door.’

Matt Phillips, of Make Poverty History coalition members Save the Children said: “It’s a case of ‘bread today, jam tomorrow’. Moreover the G7 still don’t seem to recognise the harm that forced liberalisation does to poor countries. But this first test of the G7 indicates that they are feeling the heat of public pressure, and have indicated a willingness to increase resources for poverty reduction. We will look to the G8 Summit at Gleneagles to see if they’ll deliver the money to match the rhetoric’.

Kumi Naidoo of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty said: 'Warm words and ambitious goals are welcome but are nothing unless backed by money. Mandela was clear on Friday that poverty is manmade and can be eradicated. Every day the G7 delays, the poorest pay with their lives. The world is watching and will not tolerate further inaction.'

People can support this year-long campaign or get a white band, by signing up at www.makepovertyhistory.org. They can make their voices heard and exert pressure on Tony Blair and the UK government by sending a ‘white band message’, by text, email or post, calling on the government to reverse the injustice of poverty in 2005.

On July 2, MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY expects 100,000 people to gather in Edinburgh to welcome the G8 leaders and urge them to deliver trade justice, debt cancellation and increase and improve development aid.

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