West Africa must be at heart of G8 talks

West Africa must be at heart of G8 talks

David Cameron must use this year’s G8 summit to rally world leaders to take firm action as a food crisis looms in West Africa, World Vision UK urged today.

The British PM is among eight heads of state from the world’s richest nations gathering for the annual event near Washington, to discuss issues of mutual concern.

While the meetings are held in private, World Vision UK is urging Cameron to emphasise the urgent need for overseas aid to his counterparts from other developed nations.

Justin Byworth, Chief Executive of World Vision UK, said: “Food crises in Africa in the last year have resulted in millions of people facing a daily struggle to survive. Now, we are seeing another crisis unfold in West Africa and, again, we must look to the world’s richest nations to act.

“We know that the UK has been pushing for greater accountability and transparency at the G8. We applaud this and urge the UK to continue showing leadership in this area.

“We ask that, at this summit, the UK again plays a strong role in delivering real change for children and their communities living with poverty.”

The G8 summit takes place on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th May at Camp David, near Washington DC. Members of the G8 are the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia. The European Union is also represented.

18 May 2012