16 December 2005

Today ActionAid International welcomed the announcement of a powerful new alliance of developing countries at the WTO trade talks in Hong Kong.

Aftab Alam Khan, head of ActionAid’s trade justice campaign says:

“Now the gloves are off. Poor countries have come together to form an alliance that represents most of the planet’s population. The group has a common set of demands and can put the fight against poverty at the heart of the trade talks.

"Rich countries must realise the game has changed. It is important that they respect this new alliance and don’t try to split it apart as they have done with groups in the past. It is time for them to listen to this strong united voice and not fight against it.”