G20 Gets “D” Grade for Breaking Commitments to World’s Poorest
As Summit Starts This Week, Experts Explain Why
Telephone Press Conference
Tuesday, June 22 / 1:00 pm EST
Call-in: ( 877 ) 495 - 3392 / Passcode: # 82553271
For questions contact Melinda St. Louis, Jubilee USA (202-441-7579)
Washington DC – Leading development and civil society experts will discuss a new report to be released by Jubilee USA Network on June 22nd revealing the G20’s “D” grade on fulfilling its commitments to the world’s poor. The report comes ahead of the June 26-27 Summit, where countries representing 85% of the world’s economy will discuss international financial cooperation in the wake of the economic crisis.
Join to hear new analysis on the G20’s progress and prospects for further action at the G20 Summit in Toronto, Canada.
Expert panelists include (click here for bios): - Ruth W. Messinger: President, American Jewish World Service
- Sering Falu Njie: Deputy Director of Policy, United Nations Millennium Campaign
- Briggs Bomba: Campaigns Director, Africa Action
- Melinda St. Louis: Deputy Director, Jubilee USA Network
The report will be available online at www.jubileeusa.org with embargoed reports available upon request.
BACKGROUND: Jubilee USA’s new report, “Making the Grade? The G20’s Commitments to the World’s Poorest”, finds that the G20 has made shockingly little progress toward fulfilling its promises to the poorest countries since its second summit in September 2009.
Only an additional $1.2 billion has been clearly delivered to low-income countries, with nearly all support in the form of new loans, threatening a future debt crisis for poor countries. New research shows that the G20 has fallen short in stemming the illicit flight of capital through tax havens, making the governance structure of international financial institutions more accountable to poor countries, and adequately addressing the climate crisis facing developing countries.
The panel features national-level religious leaders who, immediately following the teleconference, will meet with Lael Brainard, Treasury Under-Secretary for International Affairs. The leaders plan to deliver the report’s findings and to urge the U.S. government to lead within the G8 and G20 to stand on the side of the world’s poorest.
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