Keep commitments to developing countries

By 2010, G8 countries promised:

• US$60 billion in aid over five years to improve health in poor countries
• that everyone would have access to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment
• US$50 billion more in annual development assistance, half of it to Africa

G8 leaders have also agreed to:

• provide $22 billion over three years for sustainable agricultural development aimed at improving food security in the poorest countries
• meet the international “Education for All” goals by 2015
• meet the MDG targets for sanitation and water including support African countries to develop and implement national sanitation and water plans.

With 2010 now here, it is clear that these promises will not be kept on time. We need to table concrete plans to meet the targets and go beyond them so that we can ensure the Millennium Development Goals, which all countries embraced, are achieved by the 2015 deadline—now only five years away.

Aid works. For example, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria has helped provide treatment to 4 million people for tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS. Aid has provided access to basic education for over 40 million children since 2000. Since 1990, 1.6 billion people have gained access to clean drinking water. These successes need to be sustained and expanded.

Canada has pledged to raise aid to 0.7 percent of our economy but we currently give less than half of that amount. Canada must keep this promise by setting a timetable to reach this goal and rally all the G8 countries to do the same. It’s a matter of solidarity and accountability.

Invest in and empower women and children

Of all the Millennium Development Goals due in 2015, we have achieved the least progress on reducing maternal and child mortality. Every day 1,400 women die of pregnancy-related causes. Every day, 24,000 children under the age of five die of what are largely preventable causes.

We know what the causes are, and which solutions work. A recent study from sub-Saharan Africa has shown that when you invest in a fully integrated package of care for mothers, newborns and children, a staggering 85 percent of lives can be saved.

When women and children are empowered, their communities thrive. From our own Canadian aid program successes, we know that investing in women and children’s health and education is key to fighting poverty.

We welcome the announcement of Prime Minister Harper that child and maternal health will be a priority issue in the G8 summit. Now Canada must ensure that significant new investment is made in this area to put MDGs 4 and 5 on track; Canada can also lead the G8 in creating a global action plan on maternal, newborn and child health.