The recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth and the G20 Summit in Cannes failed to deliver any huge progress on development, but there were some positive steps.

The final communiqués of both groups are full of positive pro-development statements however the vast bulk of these involve no particular commitment or extra effort.

While CHOGM as a group failed to make any substantial commitments, the final communiqué does identify a range of commitments that may facilitate future international agreements including in the areas of climate change, environmental sustainability, international governance and gender equality including the reduction of early and forced marriage.

Australia, in particular, made a number of important commitments at CHOGM:

• to pilot the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative in Australia and to assist developing countries to do likewise (a very important step towards increased transparency about resource profits),
• to increase funding to eradicate polio (which is critical to complete the polio eradication campaign),
• to assist developing countries to better manage their mining industries ( a key source of development finance for many African countries) and
• to set up a research program to better assist African farmers (using Australia’s knowledge in dry land and tropical agriculture).

The G20, its attention focused on the problems in the Eurozone, did make some commitments that should provide positive development outcomes.  These include:

• first steps to reduce food price volatility,
• greater inclusion of nutrition concerns in food policy,
• unquantified commitments to increase funding to assist agriculture,
• action to reduce the cost of remittance for migrants,
• some steps to control tax havens that result in billions of dollars of illicit flows from developing and developed countries.

There was no agreement to establish a global financial transactions (ie Robin Hood) tax – but the idea was not killed off and will be considered again in June at the Mexico G20 summit.

In summary – the cycle of international summits continues and while the focus is very much on economic growth and stability, advocacy by groups such as Make Poverty History is helping to keep development and the reduction of poverty on the agenda. There is progress but it could be much greater.  Closer to home, the Australian Government has made a number of recent commitments to improve support for developing countries – hopefully Australia and like-minded countries will be able to convince more countries to lift their game.

Contributed by Garth Luke, Senior Researcher, Research and Policy, World Vision Australia

Image courtesy of Oxfam Australia

Over the next two days, world leaders are convening in Cannes, France for the G-20 Summit. The G-20 is a major forum for action on international development and economic issues. The forum provides an opportunity for leading world economies to discuss “national policies, international co-operation and international financial institutions.”[1]

The G-20 is a critical moment for Australia. It presents a big opportunity for the Australian Government to play an important role in facilitating greater coordinated action among donor countries to assist developing countries and achieve the MDGs. Key decisions will be made at the G-20 and active support by Australia for pressing development and economic issues could make a real difference.

One of the most achievable and significant outcomes of the G-20 would be the adoption of an international financial transactions tax (FTT). A FTT (or Robin Hood Tax) is a tiny tax (0.05%) on banks, hedge funds and other finance institutions. If enacted, an FTT would mean enough money to help provide vital investment in public services like healthcare and schools, as well as aid the fight against global poverty and climate change.

Public and parliamentarian support for a Robin Hood Tax is growing by the minute.  Over 1,000 parliamentarians around the world have signed a statement calling for an FTT, and more than 500,000 ordinary people signed petitions and statements addressed to all G20 leaders; these were handed to the French Government on 21 October, 2011.

Australia can stand out as a leader at the G-20 and demonstrate to other nations that we are prepared to work collaboratively to create a more stable and balanced international economy.

Join us and remind world leaders that a Robin Hood Tax should be addressed and adopted at the G-20. Sign the petition for a FTT.