Hopewell Radebe
27 February 2008
Johannesburg — ACTIVISTS have called on French President Nicolas Sarkozy to use his two-day state visit to SA, which starts tomorrow, to reaffirm France's commitment to spend 0,7% of its gross national p roduct (GNP) on aid to Africa by 2012.
France was the first Group of Eight (G-8) nation to set a clear timetable to reach the United Nations agreed aid target of 0,7% of GNP by 2012, announced when it held the G-8 chair in 2003. It was also the advocate for the G-8's undertaking in 2005 to increase global aid by $50bn by 2010, with half of it targeting Africa.
Charles Abani, Oxfam's southern Africa director, said this was Sarkozy's opportunity to show his commitment to the continent's development.
"Sticking to the 2012 target means increases in real development assistance of $1,9bn a year starting in 2009 . This would help save millions of lives in Africa ."
Ambassador Gert Grobler, acting deputy director-general for Americas and Europe, said several agreements would be signed by President Thabo Mbeki and Sarkozy. They cover co-operation on energy, science, transport, tourism and fishing.
Sarkozy will be accompanied by his wife, Carla Bruni, and 40 CEOs.
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