been targeted because it had considerably benefited from trade globalization and paid low tax rates. With expected annual growth of about 5 per cent per year over the next decade, a fixed low-rate levy and exemption for passengers in transit would not handicap airlines, even if some countries did not join the initiative. It had also been chosen because air passengers were rarely among the poorest citizens in their respective countries, and the practical and legal feasibility of a solidarity levy on airline tickets had been proven. Just a year ago, the very idea of an international levy had been considered inappropriate, but now many international forums had added the issue to their agendas. Many countries of both the North and South had already pledged support, and otherswere planning to join in the near future.

MOHAMED NOURI JOUINI, Minister of Development and International Development of Tunisia, said that, unless there was financing, there could be no development. External financing available to developing countries was always inadequate. It was necessary to apply the right policies to mobilize national savings. That meant involving all citizenry to determine what the country’s basic choices were, and recognizing the link between economic and social development. International financial support must be provided to countries that were able to apply economic and political reforms. Those countries must be encouraged to reform further. It was in the interest of all that economic development be expanded to all people and that there be general social progress.

The support of the international community must continue for middle-income