Commonwealth Secretariat
  1. Home
  2. What's New
  3. Who We Are
  4. What We Do
    1. Democracy
    2. Economics
    3. Education
    4. Gender
    5. Governance
    6. Health
    7. Human Rights
    8. Law
    9. Small States
    10. Sport
    11. Sustainability
    12. Youth
    13. Millennium Development Goals
    14. Funding
  5. News
    1. Events
    2. News Archive Search
    3. Picture Stories
  6. Media Room
    1. Press Archive Search
    2. Media Contacts
    3. Video
    4. Events
    5. In the Media
    6. Updates
    7. Downloads
  7. Resources
    1. Documents
    2. Image Library
    3. Libary & Archives
    4. Publications
  8. Publications
  9. Employment
  10. FAQs
    1. Acronyms
  11. Contact Us
Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General calls for “A Spirit of Generosity” at G8

19 July 2001

The Commonwealth S.G., Don McKinnon, has personally contacted every G8 leader to encourage their full commitment to international development targets. On the eve of their Summit, he is asking the G8 to "approach this challenge in a spirit of generosity towards the developing countries, even where your domestic political considerations make this difficult."

In his letter to leaders, the Secretary-General has focused upon challenges which can only be solved by concerted international action and solid leadership from the wealthy G8:

The Commonwealth's vision of "generous globalisation" means:

· bringing the benefits of globalisation to all
A world in which the poorest can start lifting themselves out of poverty is a world which improves the lot of all countries and peoples.

· taking a humane approach to countries deep in debt
A flexible approach to the HIPC (Highly Indebted Poor Countries) Initiative gives countries the best chance of permanent freedom from impossible debts.

· reversing the decline in Overseas Development Assistance (ODA)
As in developing countries, it costs money to get the economy of a poor country rolling and adequate overseas assistance is vital.

· allowing countries ownership of their economic reforms
Experience has shown that "back seat drivers" are not the best at steering a government through programmes of radical change.

· opening industrial country markets to developing country exports
Concrete steps must be taken to ensure that free trade is a two-way street and barriers are lifted out of the way.


· offering technical assistance to improve financial stability
The systems and standards enjoyed by developed countries improve financial stability and developing countries are keen to adapt them to their needs.

· helping developing countries extract advantage from globalisation The IMF and multilateral development banks can play a very valuable role in helping developing countries to share in the rewards of globalisation.

· engaging constructively on tax
Constructive engagement between OECD countries and non-OECD jurisdictions on the OECD harmful tax initiative is the way forward.

· tackling health together
G8 attention to the Global Health Fund to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic and other diseases that afflict the poor is welcome news.

· bridging the digital divide
While some of us upgrade our mobiles several times a year, in developing countries even the most basic telephone may be far out of reach.




These are all issues that engage the Commonwealth and it is keenly awaiting the outcomes of the Genoa Summit.





01/45 19 July 2001


Share this page
About this

ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6385/6 Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081
Email: info@commonwealth.int