Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) - Gathered together, yesterday (17), in Santo Domingo, presidents and heads of State from Latin America and the Caribbean signed a commitment to fight against hunger and poverty.

The leaders of ten countries who came to the Dominican Republic to attend the inauguration of President Leonel Fernández Reyna pledged to work for the success of the meeting of world leaders to constitute the Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. The meeting is scheduled to take place on September 23, at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York.

In a joint declaration, the presidents and heads of State reaffirmed their commitment to assisting the process of political and economic reconstruction in Haiti. They also appealed to the world community and international financial agencies to provide cooperation and support to Haiti.

The presidents and heads of State regard poverty and social exclusion as affronts to human dignity, and they recognize that "the intensification of poverty is in many cases associated with the growth of violence and aggravation of social conficts, which affect democratic governability and social tranquility."

The leaders also consider that "an effective multilateral system based on international law, bolstered by strong institutions, and centered on the United Nations, is essential to the achievement of peace, sustainable development, and social progress."

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Lourival Macedo
Translator: David Silberstein
08/18/2004