By Caribbean News Global 
USA/CANADA – Permanently eradicating poverty is central to guaranteeing more rights for more people in the Americas, the OAS secretary-general said in a statement on this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, “we cannot be tolerant of the existence of millions of people living in poverty and extreme poverty, a situation that is now aggravated by the effects of COVID-19;” meantime, Canada issued a statement, “ recognizing the urgency of accelerating progress toward ending poverty so that no one is left behind.”
The OAS secretary-general said: “The data is alarming. Today we know that there will be at least 30 million newly impoverished people as a result of the pandemic and 16 million more will fall into extreme poverty. This has dramatically set back the social advances that the countries of the region had achieved. These figures, in addition to sounding an alarm, must be a call for urgent action and to redouble efforts in all areas, because behind these numbers there are people, households, children who today do not have access to their rights. In this search for solutions to definitively eradicate the scourge of poverty, the Organization of American States (OAS) has an important role to play through concrete actions, such as promoting dialogue and technical cooperation among its member states for the exchange of information and experiences on the policies that have worked in the fight against poverty.
“In addition, we have valuable economic and social rights instruments such as the Additional Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Protocol of San Salvador) and its monitoring mechanism, through which a Group of Experts make recommendations to States aimed at improving public policies that are key to eradicating poverty.
“Likewise, through the Inter-American Democratic Charter and the Social Charter of the Americas, the OAS has been a pioneer in recognizing the link and indivisibility between civil and political rights, and economic, social, cultural and environmental rights. Now, more than ever, we must continue exchanging tools, experiences and knowledge to achieve the global and regional goal of definitively eradicating poverty and thus ensuring a future that truly guarantees more rights for more people.”
Karina Gould, minister of international development, said: “On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we recognize the urgency of accelerating progress toward ending poverty so that no one is left behind. Through the Feminist International Assistance Policy, Canada is working to help the poorest and those in vulnerable situations by making gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls central to our efforts. This year’s theme—Acting Together to Achieve Social and Environmental Justice for All—underlines that we cannot address poverty unless we address the inequities that are at its root.
“This year, we also see how the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed systemic weaknesses and gaps, resulting in economic and health-care crises that disproportionately affect the poorest and those in vulnerable situations. Gender inequality has been exacerbated by the pandemic, threatening decades of progress for women and girls.
“The COVID-19 crisis is creating significant challenges for all countries to eradicate poverty and maintain their development goals. This is especially true for countries in special situations, including least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, small island developing states and fragile and conflict-affected states.
“Canada is doing its part around the world to help countries in their efforts to end poverty and build more resilient and inclusive societies. In September, Canada announced an additional $400 million in international development funding in 2020 and committed to increased investments in international assistance.
“Canada is also playing a leadership role in the Financing for Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond initiative, in collaboration with the United Nations and Jamaica. This process is charting a course toward mitigating the socio-economic and financial effects of the pandemic by enabling developing countries to access the financing they need to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
“We cannot afford to lose the achievements made over the last several decades toward building a more peaceful, prosperous, inclusive, resilient and sustainable world. Now, more than ever, we need a coordinated global response to eradicate poverty, and Canada is there.”
