June 19, 2012

www.interaction.org

Contacts: Sue Pleming: 202.552.6561 or 202.341.3814 (Cell) or spleming@interaction.org Jeanne Paradis: 202.552.6535 or 202.297.1696 (Cell) or jparadis@interaction.org

NGO alliance reacts to G20 declaration

WASHINGTON (June 19, 2012) The NGO alliance InterAction welcomes the G20s inclusion of development issues; however, these words of support are not accompanied by concrete steps, action plans, or benchmarks for completion. In their final declaration at the close of the 2012 Summit, leaders of the G20 nations pledged their commitment to a number of initiatives vital to the continued development of impoverished communities and nations around the world. The expressed support for the Scaling Up Nutrition movement, the extension of the Anti-Corruption Working Groups mandate, and the agreement to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies are positive steps towards addressing the needs of the poor. Also encouraging is the announcement of the $100 million AgResults initiative fund, which will be used to incentivize innovation in the agricultural sector. When confronted with a severe crisis on your own doorstep, it can be easy to sideline development issues. But these problems are real and they are not going away unless we take measurable steps to address them, said Samuel A. Worthington, President and CEO of InterAction. Up to 1 billion people in the world today face chronic hunger; 3.5 million children die of malnutrition every year. The pledges made by the G20 are promising, but they do not go nearly far enough. Inclusive growth is in the interest of all, and allows people the world-over to help themselves. Now is the time for action.

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InterAction is the largest alliance of U.S.-based nongovernmental international organizations, with more than 190 members. Our members operate in every developing country, working with local communities to overcome poverty and suffering by helping to improve their quality of life. Visit www.interaction.org
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