On 24th June, the G7-NGO Alliance issued a statement to the G8 leaders ahead of the G8 Summit in Scotland, 6th to 8th July. The alliance comprises members from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US. The European Union also is a member with observer status. The alliance speaks on behalf of over 1,500 groups supported by millions of citizens.

The statement, the second issued by the alliance, focuses on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) prior to the G8 summit and the Millennium + 5 Summit to be held at the UN in September. While congratulating the leadership that led to the endorsement of the MDGs, the statement specifically calls for political will and action in three areas; aid, debt and trade.

Aid

Although aid has been increasing to meet the MDGs, assistance must reach those who need it - people at the grassroots. The gap between rich poor is not only between developed and developing countries, but also between people in developing countries, too.
Aid should focus on poverty eradication, with at least 70% of ODA going to the poorest nations. Within this, sustainability should be a priority, otherwise projects and programs collapse.

Debt

The alliance calls for all unpayable debt of the world's poorest countries to be cancelled, and for further assistance to be provided through fair and transparent mechanisms. This, however, must be funded through new resources rather than diversion from existing aid budgets.

Trade

Trade agreements need to be more development oriented so that all can share in the benefits, particularly those who live in poverty. The international community must end agricultural oversupply and declining prices that exclude farmers in developing countries, which leads to loss of jobs.
Countries of the South must be allowed to determine their own trade policies in the interests of development.

The statement was submitted to all heads of state, relevant ministries and members of the media prior to the G8 summit, showing the strong commitment by civil society to be heard.

JOICFP's view that aid must reach the grassroots became part of the statement through the efforts of Hideyuki Takahashi, Director, Resource Development and Campaign, JOICFP, in his position as Vice-Chair, JANIC, one of the G7-NGO Alliance members.