Prime Minister Harper: G8 will focus on human welfare

Jan 26th, 2010 9:27 AM UTC
By Chris Scott

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper today has an op-ed laying out his priorities for the G8 ahead of the G20 Toronto summit in June. In it, he states that he believes “security concerns and human welfare” will be the focus of the G8 and talks about the need for “leaders of the world’s most developed economies to assist those in the most vulnerable positions.”

You can read the full op-ed here.

The plight of the people of Haiti concerns us all and the world’s response has been uplifting and encouraging. Within hours of the devastating earthquake demolishing the capital, governments around the world mobilized and coordinated a massive relief effort. Soon after, donations began pouring in as people opened their hearts and wallets to help. It serves as a reminder of the innate human kindness we hold toward one another.

Yet, it should not take a natural disaster to turn our attention to the less fortunate. The world’s poor have been hit hardest by the global economic downturn and in these difficult times we must address their pressing needs.

Indeed, all too frequently, tragedy strikes those who can least afford it. The lack of the most basic services can lead to dire consequences, especially for the world’s most vulnerable populations. Each year, it is estimated that 500,000 women lose their lives during pregnancy or childbirth. Further, an astonishing 9 million children die before their fifth birthday.

This is simply not acceptable. The United Nations had hoped to reduce the number of deaths related to pregnancy by 75 per cent by 2015 as part of its Millennium Development Goals. It now appears this target will go unfulfilled. What makes it worse is that the bulk of the deaths during pregnancy – experts claim as many as 80 per cent – are easily preventable. There is a pressing need for global action on maternal and child health.

As president of the G8 in 2010, Canada will champion a major initiative to improve the health of women and children in the world’s poorest regions. Members of the G8 can make a tangible difference in maternal and child health and Canada will be making this the top priority in June. Far too many lives and unexplored futures have already been lost for want of relatively simple health-care solutions.

TAGS: Canada, G8, ONE