|
You are here:
PolitInfo.com > News & Articles >
Africa, Global Warming Top G8 Summit Agenda
Jul 6, 2005 Gleneagles
Poverty alleviation in Africa and the threat of global warming top the agenda at this week's summit of leaders from the world's eight major industrial powers in Scotland.
Hopes are high the world leaders will strike an agreement at the summit to cut debts, bolster trade and increase aid to the nations of sub-Saharan Africa.
But there is less optimism for agreement on what to do about climate change.
On both issues, all eyes are on U.S. President Bush.
In a speech ahead of the summit, Mr. Bush said he is committed to double U.S. aid to Africa by 2010.
But the president also says it is time for a new approach to that aid, given the high levels of corruption and misappropriation of previous assistance programs.
"Over the decades we have learned that without economic and social freedom, without the rule of law and effective, honest government, international aid has little impact or value. But where there is freedom, and the rule of law, every dollar of aid, trade, charitable giving and foreign and local investment can rapidly improve people's lives," he said.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who wants the developed world to boost aid to Africa to 50 billion dollars a year, says many African countries will have to reform if they want the money.
"One thing is for sure, that at the G-8 it will be made very clear that the additional help available for Africa is contingent upon good governance and proper democratic norms. And it is the position of Britain, and the position of the other countries of the G-8 I'm sure, that that is the only basis upon which aid will be increased. So it's up to countries then to decide their future," he said.
On climate change, President Bush stands firm in his opposition to the internationally negotiated Kyoto Protocol to put strict controls on so-called greenhouse gases that pollute the air and warm the atmosphere.
Prime Minister Blair believes developed countries should reduce their carbon emissions, and he concedes it may not be possible to strike an agreement at the summit.
"I think it's incredibly important that we do get some clear agreement that we need to move to a low-carbon economy. We need to curb greenhouse gas emissions. We need to do so urgently. Now I think that is extremely important. That's my own view about that. And we'll wait and see if we get an agreement or not," he said.
The leaders are under scrutiny from a variety of activists, particularly anti-poverty campaigners who organized a series of mass outdoor concerts around the world last weekend to raise public awareness about the situation in Africa.
This article uses material from VOA.
Related Articles:
- G8 Summit Ends with Increased Aid to Africa, Commitment to Dialogue on Environment
The G8 summit has ended with agreement on aid to Africa, help for the Palestinians, and a vow to seek consensus on global warming.
- London Bombings Overshadow G8 Summit
The G-8 summit of industrial nations is continuing in Gleneagles, Scotland despite the terrorist bombings in London.
- G8 Condemns London Explosions, Continues Summit
The deadly explosions in London have transformed the G-8 Summit in Gleneagles, Scotland.
- G8 Summit Opens in Scotland
The G-8 summit is formally underway in Gleneagles, Scotland, with aid to Africa and climate change topping the agenda.
- G8 Negotiations Continue on Africa, Climate Change
Officials at the summit in Scotland of the seven leading industrial nations and Russia continue seeking compromise on the top two agenda items of how to fight poverty in Africa and deal with global warming.
- Africa, Global Warming Top G8 Summit Agenda
Poverty alleviation in Africa and the threat of global warming top the agenda at this week's summit of leaders from the world's eight major industrial powers in Scotland.
- Police, Protesters Clash on Opening Day of G8 Summit
Police and protesters have clashed in Scotland, as leaders of the world's leading industrial nations prepare to open the Group of Eight summit at the Gleneagles golf resort.
- Children's Summit Recommends Poverty-Alleviation Measures to G8 Leaders
The UNESCO-backed Children’s Summit in Dunblane, Scotland, has made eight recommendations to the leaders of the industrialized world for alleviating child poverty.
- Aid Group Calls For G8 To Cancel Africa's Debts, Increase Aid, Improve Trade
In Kenya, an international aid agency is recommending ways G8 leaders can reduce poverty in Africa.
- African Union Heads of State Meet To Plan G8 Strategy
The fifth African Union heads-of-state summit has opened in Libya with a call for solidarity in dealing with the rest of the world.
|
