06 June 2007

The prospect of a positive outcome for millions of poor people around the world hung in the balance today as it emerged that the G8 is in turmoil over negotiations on Africa. 

The German government is making eleventh-hour amendments to the final summit text in a bid to secure agreement. This comes amid reports that several G8 countries, including Italy and Canada, are blocking progress on Africa negotiations in Heiligendamm.

"With key countries playing spoilers on aid and HIV, the G8’s credibility is on the line. Unless there’s serious work done in the next day on the G8’s Africa Declaration, the summit will be over for the world’s poorest region before it’s even begun", said Patrick Watt, ActionAid UK Policy Coordinator.  

• HIV and AIDS
  The promise of universal access to HIV treatment, made in 2005, remains in a critical condition, with some countries seeking to remove the few hard numbers on financing from the text.
  

Aditi Sharma, Head of ActionAid’s HIV campaign, said: "If the wreckers get their way, even peanuts will be off the menu in Heiligendamm. By diluting the universal access target, the G8 risks creating a life or death lottery where only half of the world’s people with HIV will win treatment."

• Aid
  With the G8 falling short of their aid commitments by $8 billion in 2006 alone, the G8 risks scuppering pledges on HIV, health and education. Germany and Italy urgently need to step up to the plate to get the G8 on track to double aid to Africa by 2010.

Collins Magalasi, ActionAid’s head of policy for Southern Africa said: "The G8’s talk of a contract with Africa rings hollow when they’re reneging on their most basic pledge. Failure to keep their promise of doubling aid will translate into millions of people being denied education, healthcare and clean water."