G8 Approves $60 Billion for Africa
Pledges Are Meant to Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB
Jun 12, 2007
The 33rd G8 summit was held this year in Heiligendamm, Germany from June 6-8, bringing together the world's leading industrialized nations, who account for 65% of the world economy. German Chancellor Angel Merkel chaired the event and wanted Africa and climate control to be high on the agenda.
On the final day of the event, leaders agreed to pledges of $60 billion in assistance to Africa to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. The United States agreed to donate half of the amount, which is intended to increase access to drugs and treatment on the continent.
In 2005, the elite club expressed similar intent in Gleneagles, Scotland, promising to increase assistance to Africa by $50 billion by 2010 but anti-poverty activists have criticized the G8 for failing to meet these commitments. British Prime Minister Tony Blair acknowledged the group's shortcomings by saying that "the important thing is that we have recommitted ourselves to all of the commitments we made a couple of years ago."
The most vocal anti-poverty advocates spoke to the media about the donations. According to the BBC, Bob Geldof called the rekindled initiatives a 'total farce,' stressing that it was time for rich nations to deliver. He did, however, also praise Mr. Blair for campaigning to the G8 "to the point of exhaustion." Oxfam noted that only $3 billion of the pledge money was new and that the G8 was set to miss their 2010 objectives by $30 billion.
Deadly diseases
According to the Inter Press Service, G8 summit documents maintain that Africa is the region most stricken by communicable diseases. More than 60% of people infected by HIV/AIDS worldwide live in Africa. According to one organization, ActionAid, during the time G8 leaders discussed the fate of those in Africa and around the globe, 24,000 people died of AIDS.
Malaria kills nearly one million people annually with 90% of these fatalities occurring in Africa, primarily amongst children. Tuberculosis, another deadly illness, claims approximately 5,000 people daily, many of whom are young adults who die during their most productive years.
African presence
Leaders from six African nations, most notably Ghana's president, John Kufuor, who is also the African Union president for the 2007-2008 session, attended the summit. Kufuor addressed G8 leaders at the event and said that the success of the pledges would strengthen ties between Africa and the G8.
Presidents Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, Umaru Musa Yar´dua of Nigeria, Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal, Abdul Aziz Bouteflika of Algeria and Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi as well as AU Commission President Professor Omar Alpha Konare composed the African team.
