At the IMF/World Bank Development Committee Meeting in Washington today, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, Senator Ian Campbell, emphasised the importance of the immediate engagement of the IMF and World Bank in the reconstruction of Iraq and the critical role of national governments in supporting trade liberalisation to boost global growth and fight poverty.
He said while reconstruction of Iraq was an immediate priority, the international community must maintain its focus and commitment on solutions that addressed poverty and delivered sustainable growth in developing countries.
World Bank data showed that some 90 children died every 15 minutes of every day as a result of poor water quality. Senator Campbell said this was an unacceptable situation.
He said this meant that around 1400 children had died from poor water quality during the four hours of the Development Committee meeting. This message was endorsed by other members of the Development Committee.
Senator Campbell said trade liberalisation was essential to the eradication of poverty.
While the meetings highlighted there were many global uncertainties over which governments had little direct influence, freer trade was within the control of all governments.
Senator Campbell said the Doha round of trade negotiations presented the international community with a critical opportunity to promote world growth and reduce poverty.
He said it would be a tragedy if the opportunity presented by the Doha round was allowed to pass by.
Washington DC
14 April 2003
Contact: Colin Edwardes 0409 602 348 or Wayne Grant 0407 845 280