Music News
Geldof criticises G8 leaders for falling short
Friday 30 June 2006
Although promises on debt were being met, Geldof said that trade negotiations were unfulfilled and governments were failing to provide transparency on how much aid they were giving.
In July 2005, Geldof helped to organise ten Live 8 concerts worldwide, timed to coincide with the G8 summit hosted by Britain, to help raise awareness of the plight of Africans living in poverty.
The concerts preceded the G8 summit at Gleneagles in Scotland, where a €40 billion increase in annual development aid was agreed.
Geldof was yesterday joined by the campaigning body DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) for the publication of a G8 progress report, which shows that the G8 is "on track" to meet its commitments on debt cancellation.
The report stated that 19 of the world's poorest countries, including 14 nations in Africa, have already had their debts cancelled.
However the report called for action on the crucial issues of aid and trade.
On Monday, British Prime Minister Tony Blair restated his commitment to the aims set out at last July's summit.
Mr Blair also formally launched the independent Africa Progress Panel, an independent group that will monitor financial commitments made to the poorest nations.
The panel, which will produce an annual report to be submitted to organisations including the UN and G8, will be co-chaired by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and will include Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Geldof.
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