PRESS CONFERENCE BY BRAZIL, CHILE, FRANCE, GERMANY, SPAIN

PRESS CONFERENCE BY BRAZIL , CHILE , FRANCE , GERMANY , SPAIN

At a press conference held during the opening day of the 2005 World Summit, the Heads of State of five member nations voiced their support for innovative ways of financing the ambitious Millennium Development Goals meant to fight hunger, overcome poverty and improve the lives of poor people around the world.

The Heads of State of Brazil, Chile, France, Germany and Spain voiced their support for the initiative of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, who one year ago called on the international community to mobilize resources for development and find alternatives financing methods.

The scheme proposed by France would levy a small voluntary contribution on plane tickets issued to passengers departing from participating countries.  Each participating country could set different rates for first/business class and economy class and for domestic or international flights.  The contribution would be set at levels to minimize the impact on the airlines, tourism industry and travellers.

French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said France intended to initiative the levy in 2006 after receiving approval from the Parliament.  “This can easily be put into place... and not affect the development of the airlines... to gain resources that are stable and long-term in the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria”, said Mr. Villepin.  “This is a partnership and a new approach to take action against injustice.”

The five Heads of State said the development of innovative financing schemes were necessary to ensure that the profits created through globalization benefited all members of society and the Millennium Goals were satisfied.  “Globalization involves a new increase in the gains of profits for business”, said Chilean President Ricardo Lagos.  “There has to be some way for a small part of the profits to come to other sectors of humanity that are not benefiting.”

The Chilean Government would levy a $2 tax on all international flights that originated in Chile beginning in January, he said, adding that the tax would be levied on Chilean citizens, as well as foreigners leaving the country.  The levy on airline tickets was the first step in developing new financing mechanisms.

Brazilian President Lula said about $50 billion was needed annually to meet the Millennium Goals.  “That is not that much... compared to what is in circulation in the world”, he said.  “It is a matter of political commitment.”  Hunger was a political problem that was “the greatest weapon of mass destruction in our world today”.

The President of Spain, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, said Spain supported the levy on airline tickets, as well as other financing mechanisms that would help member nations meet the Millennium Goals.   Spain remained committed to increasing its overseas development assistance in an attempt to alleviate worldwide hunger and poverty.  “ Spain will be one example in this area of not just taking one step, but many steps to fight against poverty and misery”, he added.  “Fighting against hunger and poverty requires political courage, decision-making and commitment.”

Bernd Muetzelburg, Germany’s national assessor for external politics and security, said German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder was happy and satisfied that Germany was joining the Lula initiative, and the nation remained committed to developing meaningful partnerships to help reduce worldwide hunger and poverty.   Germany was fully behind efforts to create new financing mechanisms to help meet that goal.

Asked how financing schemes could be initiated in a world of corruption and when member nations had trouble agreeing on any goals, President Lula said the initiative had created world leaders’ political awareness of the need to increase financing to fight world hunger and poverty.  Global leaders were now discussing these issues at forums such as the World Summit and the G-8 meeting.

President Lagos agreed that countries must demonstrate accountability and transparency when they received these funds.  But the international community must not be afraid of taking the first step.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record