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G8 leaders 'make $60bn Aids deal' G8 leaders 'make $60bn Aids deal'
(about 1 hour later)
Leaders of the G8 nations meeting in Germany have pledged to spend $60bn (£30bn) fighting Aids, malaria and tuberculosis in Africa, officials said.Leaders of the G8 nations meeting in Germany have pledged to spend $60bn (£30bn) fighting Aids, malaria and tuberculosis in Africa, officials said.
The deal is to be formally announced as world leaders turn their attention to Africa, on the final day of the summit.The deal is to be formally announced as world leaders turn their attention to Africa, on the final day of the summit.
They are under pressure to honour aid commitments made in 2005. It is thought the US will account for half the $60bn.They are under pressure to honour aid commitments made in 2005. It is thought the US will account for half the $60bn.
Germany's development minister gave news of the pledge on state ZDF TV before talks between the G8 leaders.Germany's development minister gave news of the pledge on state ZDF TV before talks between the G8 leaders.
On Thursday, G8 leaders agreed to seek "substantial" cuts in greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to tackle climate change.On Thursday, G8 leaders agreed to seek "substantial" cuts in greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to tackle climate change.
Meanwhile, US president George Bush was said to be suffering from a stomach complaint, and held a Friday morning meeting with France's Nicholas Sarkozy in his suite rather than in the conference room as planned. US President George Bush missed the first few hours of business on Friday, suffering from a stomach complaint.
US officials said that the president's visit to Poland later on Friday was still going ahead, despite Mr Bush being "under the weather". He held a morning meeting with France's Nicholas Sarkozy in his suite, rather than in the conference room as planned, but returned to the summit about lunchtime.
Limited progressLimited progress
President Bush announced last month that the US would dedicate $30bn to the fight against Aids in Africa, and diplomats confirmed that would make up half of the funding announced on Friday.President Bush announced last month that the US would dedicate $30bn to the fight against Aids in Africa, and diplomats confirmed that would make up half of the funding announced on Friday.
Some campaigners said much of the money had already been announced, and fell short of UN targets.Some campaigners said much of the money had already been announced, and fell short of UN targets.
GLENEAGLES SUMMIT 2005 G8 nations agreed to wipe the debts of 18 African countriesAnnounced $50bn boost to aid for AfricaPledged universal access to HIV drugs in Africa by 2010Committed to training 20,000 peacekeepers for AfricaVowed to work towards a new trade dealIn return, African leaders committed to democracy and good governance One year on: Progress report Diary: On tour with BushGLENEAGLES SUMMIT 2005 G8 nations agreed to wipe the debts of 18 African countriesAnnounced $50bn boost to aid for AfricaPledged universal access to HIV drugs in Africa by 2010Committed to training 20,000 peacekeepers for AfricaVowed to work towards a new trade dealIn return, African leaders committed to democracy and good governance One year on: Progress report Diary: On tour with Bush
"While lives will be saved with more money for Aids, this represents a cap on ambition that will ultimately cost millions more lives," said Steve Cockburn of the Stop Aids Campaign."While lives will be saved with more money for Aids, this represents a cap on ambition that will ultimately cost millions more lives," said Steve Cockburn of the Stop Aids Campaign.
Several aid agencies say member nations have not met the commitments they made at their 2005 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, and G8 leaders are acknowledging as much, says the BBC's James Robbins in Heiligendamm, Germany.Several aid agencies say member nations have not met the commitments they made at their 2005 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, and G8 leaders are acknowledging as much, says the BBC's James Robbins in Heiligendamm, Germany.
They have now agreed to a declaration stressing their firm resolve to implement those commitments, and to keep Africa at the top of the agenda in Japan next year.They have now agreed to a declaration stressing their firm resolve to implement those commitments, and to keep Africa at the top of the agenda in Japan next year.
Specifically, after much wrangling, the eight have agreed to make up the $500m shortfall in this year's spending for education in Africa, our correspondent says.Specifically, after much wrangling, the eight have agreed to make up the $500m shortfall in this year's spending for education in Africa, our correspondent says.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair said "immense progress" had been made in Germany. He said the G8 had reasserted the Gleneagles goals, "but the important thing is we have set out how we are going to do them".
Most campaigners acknowledge that some progress has been made since Gleneagles.Most campaigners acknowledge that some progress has been made since Gleneagles.
Writing off the debt of 18 African nations has allowed Zambia, for instance, to expand free healthcare in rural areas.Writing off the debt of 18 African nations has allowed Zambia, for instance, to expand free healthcare in rural areas.
HAVE YOUR SAY We should be looking at why the G8 haven't fulfilled previous commitments rather than allowing them off the hook to make more empty promises John Brooks, Manchester, UK Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY We should be looking at why the G8 haven't fulfilled previous commitments rather than allowing them off the hook to make more empty promises John Brooks, Manchester, UK Send us your comments
But other commitments - like a sustained boost to aid, and the pledge to work towards a free trade deal that would remove tariffs on African exports to developed countries - have still not materialised.But other commitments - like a sustained boost to aid, and the pledge to work towards a free trade deal that would remove tariffs on African exports to developed countries - have still not materialised.
Nigeria's newly elected President Umaru Yar'Adua, one of six African leaders attending the summit on Friday, told BBC News he would be seeking better trade deals for Africa and increased efforts to resolve the crisis in Darfur.Nigeria's newly elected President Umaru Yar'Adua, one of six African leaders attending the summit on Friday, told BBC News he would be seeking better trade deals for Africa and increased efforts to resolve the crisis in Darfur.
"We expect an increased partnership, increased share of free trade to African nations, an increased participation of the international community in resolving crises within the African continent - especially the Darfur crisis and the crisis in Somalia," he said."We expect an increased partnership, increased share of free trade to African nations, an increased participation of the international community in resolving crises within the African continent - especially the Darfur crisis and the crisis in Somalia," he said.
'Step forward''Step forward'
The focus on Africa follows Thursday's climate change deal. In other discussions at the summit, leaders remained deadlocked over the future of Kosovo, with the US saying there was no agreement on a French proposal to delay a UN Security Council vote on independence for the Serbian province.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the G8 would negotiate within a UN framework to seek a replacement for the Kyoto Protocol by the end of 2009.
Global greenhouse gas emissions must stop rising, followed by substantial global emission reductions G8 statement Reaction to climate deal In pictures: Anti-G8 protestsGlobal greenhouse gas emissions must stop rising, followed by substantial global emission reductions G8 statement Reaction to climate deal In pictures: Anti-G8 protests
Thursday saw leaders agree a climate change deal. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the G8 would negotiate within a UN framework to seek a replacement for the Kyoto Protocol by the end of 2009.
No mandatory target was set for the emissions cuts, but Mrs Merkel's preference for a 50% cut by 2050 was included in the statement.No mandatory target was set for the emissions cuts, but Mrs Merkel's preference for a 50% cut by 2050 was included in the statement.
Developing nations should also cut emissions, the leaders agreed.Developing nations should also cut emissions, the leaders agreed.
Announcing the climate change deal, Mrs Merkel described it as a "significant and important step forward". Elsewhere at the summit, US President George W Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a "constructive" meeting, which included discussion on their disagreements over US plans for missile defence.
"We agreed... that CO2 emissions must first be stopped and then followed by substantial reductions," she said.
Elsewhere at the summit, US President George W Bush met Russian President Vladimir Putin against a backdrop of disagreements over US plans for missile defence.
Mr Bush said the pair had had a "constructive" meeting, in which Mr Putin suggested using a radar station in Azerbaijan instead of facilities elsewhere in Europe.