Caritas Internationalis says world leaders must show the ambition needed to lift millions of people out of poverty at a key aid summit.
The Financing for Development Conference begins 13 July in Addis Ababa. It will determine the level of financial commitment to combat poverty and inequality over the next 15 years.
It’s the first of three important meetings in 2015. It will be followed by the adoption of the Post–2015 Development Agenda (SDGs) in New York in September and a UN climate change meeting in Paris in December.
Caritas Internationalis President Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle said, “Governments must commit to financing the development of poor countries. Fair and inclusive international rules are needed that enable equitable allocation of resources and prevent the harmful activities of the private sector.
“Failure in Addis Ababa risks harming the international community’s political will ahead of the other key deadlines in 2015. Governments must go beyond national selfishness and short-term interests. We need an agreement respecting the dignity and participation of all that does not endanger the discussions on sustainable development and climate change.”
Caritas Internationalis will be present in Addis Ababa through Graham Gordon of CAFOD (Caritas England and Wales), Grégoire Niaudet of Secours Catholique (Caritas France), and Zan Akologo Caritas Ghana.
