African leaders are keen to get the commitment of the Group of Eight industrialized nations that they will not renege on their pledge to boost annual aid starting 2010 to USD50 billion, with Africa getting half of the sum. They urged the creation of a system that would monitor delivery of aid promises, according to World Bank President Robert Zoellick, who was present during the discussions. “There was a desire to have greater comfort on both sides on the delivery. So there was some movement towards the idea that the G8 in their process – perhaps with their sherpas – may engage with the African Union commission,” Zoellick told reporters in Toyako, Japan, where the G8 is holding its summit. (African leaders call on G8 to honour aid pledge - Reuters, Jul. 7, 2008)
