G8 commits to US$60bn aid package for Africa

The G8 wealthiest nations yesterday pledged US$60 billion to fight AIDS and malaria in Africa, and to uphold an earlier pledge to boost its development aid.

"We are aware of our responsibilities and will fulfil our obligations," German Chancellor Angela Merkel, hosting G8 leaders, told reporters on the final day of the summit.

Campaigners complain that rich nations have fallen behind on commitments made to double development aid at a summit in 2005 in Gleneagles, Scotland. Many were unimpressed with the deal.

Leaders agreed to earmark US$60 billion to fight AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, global diseases that have devastated African peoples and their economies.

Of that US$30 billion has already been pledged by the US.

Among the pledges, the leaders made three "significant dollar commitments" to support action on mother-to-child, pediatric treatments, maternal and child health totalling US$4.8 billion.

They agreed to allow local production of drugs such as anti-retrovirals for HIV/AIDS patients to ensure cheaper prices for medication.

They also agreed to cut the prevalence of malaria in 30 African countries, which is responsible for 80 percent of deaths, cutting deaths in half.

But the declaration set out no specific timetable, saying the money would flow "over the coming years." Neither did it break down individual countries' contributions.

Campaigners for Africa say the pledge is made up largely of money which has already been announced.

"While lives will be saved with more money for AIDS, this represents a cap on ambition that will ultimately cost millions more lives," said Steve Cockburn of the Stop AIDS Campaign.

He said the pledge falls short of UN targets which oblige G8 nations to spend US$15 billion per year to combat AIDS alone through to 2010.

In comparison, the deal looks like committing them to about US$12 billion per year for all three diseases.

Leaders also reiterated an overall pledge made in 2005 to raise annual aid levels by US$50 billion by 2010, US$25 billion of which is for Africa.

"The important thing is that we have recommitted ourselves to all the commitments we made a couple of years ago," British Prime Minister Tony Blair said.

Campaigners weren't convinced.

"Despite last minute face saving measures, the G8 has failed its credibility test on Africa," said Collins Magalasi, ActionAids's country director for South Africa.

Blair and Merkel stressed they expect African leaders to fight corruption and boost transparency so donors can track aid.