For Fragile States, MDG Summit Outcome Off-target

[cory777]

Source: IPS


DILI, Sep 23, 2010 (IPS) - Calls by fragile states for greater focus on addressing conflict and fragility have been largely ignored in the outcome document of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Summit in New York, but critical donors are at least listening to the growing rumble of voices from developing nations.

"The international system is difficult to move, but the fact that key players like parts of the U.N. system, the World Bank and critical donors have picked up on and refer to the g7+ means that that impact is already being made," said Asbjorn Wee, administrator for the International Network on Conflict and Fragility of the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which groups rich donor countries.

Back in April, Timor Leste hosted the first meeting of fragile states, collectively known as the g7+, for a closed-door fleshing out of why billions of dollars in global aid continue to miss the target in their countries, despite both sides’ previous agreements on aid delivery like the Paris Declaration and the Accra Agenda.

The fragile states delivered a strong statement to donors at that first meeting. Since then, other countries have joined the fray, bringing the g7+ total to 17 -- including Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone. All have a clear message: Work with us, not against us, or the MDGs will never be achieved.

Read more: http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=52943

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