G8 Research Group

This morning, NGO leaders expressed their disappointment with the final declaration released at the Deauville Summit. In a letter released by InterAction, a coalition of US-based NGOs, civil society actors conveyed their frustration with the G8 outcomes. In particular, they are critical of the lack of transparency and clear timelines when it comes to meeting funding commitments on food security and agriculture. For example, the disbursement of USD $22 billion promised for food and agriculture at the 2009 L’Aquila Summit remains painfully slow, with access to information on timelines exceedingly vague. At the mid-way point of the pledge (spread out over a three year timeline), only 22% of the funds have been spent. Given the vague wording of further plans for allocation, InterAction anticipates that the original timeline will not be met.

Samuel Worthington, President and CEO of InterAction, expressed his frustration by the continued delay in both funding and information. “When it comes to giving basic, practical milestones, G8 leaders have once again fallen short. We need specifics…It is taking too log to get this money out the door.”

The United States in particular has been lagging in meeting the L’Aquila food security commitments. Only $73.4 million was disbursed last year, far from the promised amount of $1.385 billion. More broadly, commitments to increase ODA funding by USD $50 million by 2010 (made at the 2005 Gleneagles Summit), are not being met. Currently, there is a funding gap of USD $19 billion.

Along with meeting previous commitments, the G8 must be proactive in addressing the devastating increase in food prices. InterAction is urging the G8 to start mitigating commodity price volatility, in order to ameliorate the situation of millions of individuals facing poverty and hunger for the first time.