Under a debt relief plan won by advocates in the early 2000s, Sudan could see a drastic cut in its $50 billion debt this summer, according to the IMF and the World Bank.
“Sudan’s debts would be cut by 85% under the debt relief plan,” said Eric LeCompte, Executive Director of the religious development group Jubilee USA Network, which was a major force for the creation of the debt reduction process.
“Debt relief cannot come soon enough for Sudan as the country struggles with the pandemic and a 50% poverty rate.”
Thirty-seven, out of thirty-nine eligible countries, received debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC). In order for Sudan to receive a debt reduction it must meet IMF economic reforms and clear missed debt payments.
US Supports Removal of Vaccine Trade Barrier
US Supports Removal of Vaccine Trade Barrier
May 06, 2021
Washington DC - As developing countries struggle to access vaccines, the US announced support to eliminate trade barriers on vaccine access. In a statement Wednesday, the Biden Administration called for a waiver on COVID-19 vaccine intellectual property patents at the World Trade Organization.
“Less than 2% of vaccines reached poor countries,” said Eric LeCompte, the Executive Director of the religious development organization Jubilee USA Network. Intellectual property rights prevent developing countries from making their own vaccines or accessing generic versions.
The IMF states that uneven vaccine access is a main cause of global economic uncertainty.
National Catholic Reporter Quotes Eric LeCompte on Climate Summit
National Catholic Reporter Quotes Eric LeCompte on Climate Summit
April 22, 2021
National Catholic Reporter quotes Eric LeCompte on the representation of developing countries at President Biden s Leaders Summit on Climate. Read an excerpt below, and click here for the full story.
Pope Francis, in Earth Day messages, warns we are at the edge on climate change
By Brian Roewe
In a statement, Jose Aguto, associate director of the Catholic Climate Covenant, said the summit, along with Biden s American Jobs Plan, were positive steps our nation can take to uplift the dignity of all people and address climate change. An interfaith statement from 13 religious organizations, including Interfaith Power & Light and the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, offered prayers and our hopes for moral leadership during the summit and that the U.S. respond to climate change with urgency, fairness and equity.
United Nations Convenes High-Level COVID Response Session for Vulnerable Countries
United Nations Convenes High-Level COVID Response Session for Vulnerable Countries
April 23, 2021
Washington DC – The United Nations convened on COVID response and development needs for vulnerable, small island and landlocked countries. The President of the Economic and Social Council, Pakistan Ambassador Munir Akram organized the high-level event to focus on countries struggling with specific disadvantages from the crisis.
“Small islands, poor countries and landlocked nations faced considerable risks and vulnerabilities before the pandemic struck,” said Eric LeCompte, Executive Director of Jubilee USA Network and one of the primary speakers at the session. “The COVID pandemic made the situation worse and too many countries are left out of global agreements to deal with the crisis.
Jubilee USA Statement on President Biden s Leaders Summit on Climate jubileeusa.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from jubileeusa.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.