G8 - "Significant progress" on Africa agreed
$50 billion aid boost for Africa
Today the G8 leaders announced that they had agreed a $50 billion (£28.8 billion) aid boost by 2010 as leaders signed the G8 Africa communiqué. The leaders also reiterated that the debts of 18 of the poorest countries in Africa would be forgiven, as agreed by the G8 Finance Ministers in June. The leaders also called on other world leaders to join them in ensuring a successful WTO Ministerial in Hong Kong in December, leading to the conclusion in 2006 of the Doha Development Round with an agreement to a trade package that would have the potential to help lift millions out of poverty.
Health and education
The communiqué included a number of specific announcements on health and education. The text stated that leaders would continue to support the core aims for education and health as stated in the Millennium Development Declaration. The communiqué stated that leaders would continue to work to achieve, and that a number of specific commitments had been made on, HIV and
AIDS, TB, Malaria and Polio.
HIV and AIDS
On HIV and AIDS, the leaders agreed that, with the aim of an AIDS-free generation in Africa, they would aim to significantly reduce HIV infections and would work with WHO, UNAIDS and other international bodies to develop and implement a package for HIV prevention, treatment and care, with the aim of universal access to treatment for all those who need it by 2010. The leaders also agreed that they would work to meet the financing needs for HIV/AIDS, including through the replenishment this year of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria; and actively working with local stakeholders to implement the '3 Ones' principles in all countries.
Climate Change
On Climate Change the G8 leaders agreed that they would take forward actions on: transforming the way we use energy; powering a cleaner future, promoting research and development; financing the transition to a cleaner energy; managing the impact of climate change; and, tackling illegal logging.
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