G8/Europe

Europe needs to pay more attention to Africa, says Geldof

Article published on the 2008-07-08 Latest update 2008-07-08 17:17 TU

Bob Geldof at the G8 summit in Japan
(Credit: Reuters)

The G8 leaders currently meeting in Japan have said that they are committed to achieving their aid target for Africa, pledged at the Gleneagles G8 summit in 2005. However, activists said that only 14 per cent of funds promised have effectively been released.

 Activists are concerned that G8 countries do not meet promises to which they are not legally bound, including honouring their commitment to double aid to Africa by 2010.

Musician and activist Bob Geldof, who is attending the G8 summit in Hokkaido, said that Europe does not pay enough attention to Africa.

"Europe needs to be very much engaged in Africa. Africa is where we will get the resources from, like the Chinese and Americans," said Geldof. "Africa is eight miles and 12 kilometres from Europe. Europe needs to be very, very engaged," he added.

 

The G8 leaders found common ground on African development, setting a five-year deadline to commit 60 billion dollars in funding to help the continent fight disease. This includes the pledge to distribute 100 million mosquito nets by 2010 to help prevent malaria.

The most-developed countries, including the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the US renewed a commitment made three years ago to double aid for Africa to 25 billion dollars by 2010.