Aid shortfall and expectations downplayed at G8 Summit in France

Dennis's picture
Submitted by Dennis on May 25, 2011 - 2:36pm
Dennis Howlett is the National Co-ordinator for Make Poverty History Canada.

The leaders of the richest countries will gather in France this week for their annual G8 Summit. But the French government has set low expectations for any major new agreements or initiatives. It is likely to be mainly an opportunity for informal disucssion of issues of concern to the G8 leaders and there may not even be an official final communique.

Most of the key issues related to global poverty and climate change have been put off until the fall when the G20 meets in November, also hosted by the French Government. The French government has announced that their priorities for the G20 agenda include: combating commodity price volitility, reforming the international monetary system, fighting corruption and financing development through a financial transaction tax.

In advance of the G8, the French government released an accountability report on how the G8 delivered on its promises. This report has down-played the short-fall in funding for development by using figures that don't take into account the impact of inflation. OECD figures indicate the G8 has fallen US$19 billion short of its US$50 billion aid promise made 6 years ago. Yet the G8 admit to only being $1 billion short.

The G8 will also discuss strengthening partnerships with Africa and have invited the leaders of Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Ethiopia to join them for part of their meeting.  Make Poverty History's global partner, GCAP (the Global Call to Action Against Poverty) has urged that G8 and African leaders to:

  • Reaffirm the Gleneagles, L’Aquila and Muskoka commitments in the G8 communiqué and set out an emergency plan to deliver the $19 billion shortfall against commitments by 2012.
  • Place gender equality and empowerment at the heart of its development policies.
  • Endorse the formation of an International Debt Court to ensure a fair and transparent process that is independent of borrowers and lenders, based on clear rules, legally enforceable, comprehensive and mandated to assess the validity and legitimacy of all claims.

GCAP, and other international NGO networks that are part of Make Poverty History will be at the G8 in France monitoring progress and pushing for action on global poverty and climate change.  You can find more information about NGO action at the G8 at http://whiteband.org/ and http://www.sherpatimes.com/