Ahead of their summit in France in November, G-20 leaders are increasingly being pressured to meet their aid commitments and outline definitive measures to address the global economic crisis and achieve sustainable development.
G-20 leaders should fulfill their commitments to scale up agriculture aid levels and continue funding health programs in the developing world despite the economic slump in the United States and Europe, U.S. philanthropist Bill Gates has said, noting that only half of the funds these leaders promised in 2009 for agriculture-related programs has been delivered.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a similar call: G-20 leaders, and the rest of the world, cannot afford to lose sight of development goals even as most governments’ budgets are stretched thin.
“The G-20 has an historic opportunity, and an historic responsibility, to deliver bold solutions and lead the way,” Ban wrote in a letter he sent to the leaders meeting in Cannes, France, on Nov. 3 and 4. “As the leaders of the world’s largest economies, you can announce specific measures in Cannes to demonstrate that the interests of the poorer and most vulnerable members of our human family will feature prominently in the global response.”
Host country France, meanwhile, has been challenged by musician and philanthropist Bob Geldof to demonstrate bold leadership at the summit, which he said is an opportunity for the country to rehabilitate some of its “lost reputation” on Africa. He identified two key issues he said France should champion at the summit: addressing government concerns in Africa and supporting sustainable, equitable growth in the region.
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