Holy See Calls on UN Development Summit to Build an Inclusive Economy

Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, called on a United Nations development summit to address debt, tax, trade and environmental policies that impact poverty.

Turkson’s comments come as intense negotiations enter a fourth day to renew the mandate of a UN agency that focuses on several of these policy issues. The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) meetings drew more than 10,000 attendees. The member countries of UNCTAD define the institution's purpose and economic and development activities every four years.

"Cardinal Turkson reminds us that economic policies must put people at the center, protect the vulnerable and promote the common good," stated Jubilee USA’s executive director Eric LeCompte, who serves on various UN debt and tax expert groups. "His comments come at a critical moment as negotiators struggle to complete a global agreement."

Attendees of the meetings include UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, heads of state and finance ministers

Jubilee USA Network is an alliance of more than 75 US organizations and 550 faith communities working with 50 Jubilee global partners. Jubilee USA builds an economy that serves, protects and promotes the participation of the most vulnerable. Jubilee USA has won critical global financial reforms and more than $130 billion in debt relief to benefit the world's poorest people. www.jubileeusa.org