Bono plea to help tackle world poverty

U2 frontman Bono was expected to urge rich countries to help end world poverty at the launch of a United Nations report in Dublin today.

He was joining Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and former president Mary Robinson at the launch of the Human Development Report.

The document lists countries experiencing a development crisis and was expected to call on rich countries to keep their pledge on financing them.

Bono – who has campaigned extensively against the debt of poorer countries - was expected to dominate the occasion.

The report was being launched in Dublin to mark the first time Ireland has made the top 10 of an international league table measuring overseas aid contributions as a percentage of its gross national product.

After an address from Mr Ahern, statements were expected from UNDP administrator Mark Malloch Brown and Overseas Development Minister of State Tom Kitt.

Yesterday former US President Bill Clinton praised Ireland’s record on overseas aid, saying: “Almost no country is doing as well as Ireland”.

Mr Clinton was speaking after a meeting in Dublin with Mr Ahern, where they signed a joint agreement on fighting HIV and AIDS in developing countries.

Under the deal the Government’s aid budget for Mozambique will be funnelled through the Clinton Foundation.

The foundation’s aim is to persuade drug providers to supply cheaper medicines to help the fight against AIDS.