Meetings Coverage and Press Releases

In progress at UNHQ

Press Release
SG/SM/10284

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES FRANCE’S LEVY ON AIRLINE TICKETS TO BENEFIT HEALTH SECTOR OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

27/12/2005
Secretary-GeneralSG/SM/10284
Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES FRANCE’S LEVY ON AIRLINE TICKETS TO BENEFIT


HEALTH SECTOR OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES


The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:


The Secretary-General warmly welcomes the adoption by the Parliament of France of a levy on airline tickets issued locally that will benefit the health sector of developing countries, starting July 2006.  This is a significant step, raising additional sources of innovative financing in support of the efforts by developing countries to reach the Millennium Development Goals.


The Secretary-General strongly urges other countries to follow France’s lead with similar measures.


* *** *


For information media • not an official record
For information media. Not an official record.