SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES PLEDGE OF G-20 LEADERS TO $1.1 TRILLION AID PACKAGE,

DEEMS IT CRITICAL THAT PORTION SLATED FOR POORER COUNTRIES IS DELIVERED

The following statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the Group of 20 (G-20) London Summit Outcome was issued today:

I came to the London Summit with the clear message that the economic crisis is turning into a crisis of human development and security in many parts of the world -- and that developing countries will need at least $1 trillion of support.

I am pleased that G-20 leaders have committed themselves to a $1.1 trillion package.  But it will be critical that the share of this going to the poorer countries is delivered.

The G-20 leaders have reaffirmed previous commitments to increase aid and help countries achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

This means that they are promising at least $300 billion in aid over the next two years.  For the poorest countries, this will be crucial.  The world will be watching.

In addition to committing significant new resources for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, the G-20 also asked the United Nations to monitor the impacts of this and future crises on poor and vulnerable people -- in order to spur action.

I welcome the commitment from G-20 leaders to resist protectionism and to monitor compliance.

I was also encouraged that the G-20 leaders recognized the inextricable links between addressing the economic crisis and addressing food security and climate change.

In that regard, G-20 leaders promised to make resources available for social protection and investments in long-term food security, and stated their commitment to address the threat of irreversible climate change.

Importantly, they pledged to reach agreement at the United Nations climate change conference in Copenhagen later this year.

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For information media • not an official record