Alliance of U.S. NGOs Welcome G20 Inclusion of Development, Urge More Pointed Action

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- InterAction, the biggest alliance of U.S.-based NGOs working internationally, welcomes the inclusion of development on the G20 agenda but is disappointed more specific actions were not announced at the end of the summit in Seoul.

"The lack of specific actions that emerged from the meetings to help bridge the gap between the world's richest and poorest nations is troubling," said Samuel Worthington, president of InterAction, in response to the statements issued by world leaders on Friday.

"There need to be more specific guidelines and actions taken to show a commitment of the G20 to increase broad-based and equitable economic growth in poor nations," added Worthington.

Some positive points to emerge from the G20 Summit included acknowledgment that there cannot be a "one-size fits all" strategy when designing development plans for individual countries. InterAction also applauds the G20's stated commitment to food security and sustainable agricultural development.

InterAction is encouraged by the G20's view that foreign assistance is essential for the meaningful reduction of poverty which cannot be achieved without inclusive, sustainable and resilient growth.

The G20 recommended a myriad of tasks for the World Bank, OECD, UNDP, ILO, UNCTAD and other financial institutions. But each institution will have to make its own decisions and coordination is often difficult. In addition, the guidelines were vague, with few specific actions outlined on how to increase economic growth in poor countries.

There were also too few deadlines or country commitments and the key role of civil society in supporting sustainable development was ignored. In addition, documents produced after the meetings were virtually devoid of specific financial commitments, except for $528 million pledged by South Korea, Canada, the Inter-American Development Bank and the United States for a Small and Medium Enterprise Finance Framework.

For more information go to the InterAction alliance web site: www.interaction.org

InterAction is the largest alliance U.S.-based nongovernmental international organizations focused on the world's poor and most vulnerable people with more than 190 members. Our members operate in every developing country, working with local communities to overcome poverty and suffering by helping to improve their quality of life.

SOURCE InterAction

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