Dear Mister Secretary-General,

The alleviation of poverty ranks among the priorities set by all the States subscribing to the Millennium Development Goals in the name of the whole international community.

In all continents the efforts to combat poverty are directly related to the non-violent struggles to curb down social violence and humiliations, to reduce brutal inequalities and to promote basic rights which are vital for developing genuine democracy and sustainable peace.

In this regard all the States have the moral and political obligation to fulfil their commitments and mobilize the resources thus required. Unfortunately, all experts agree to point out that financial contributions to the Millennium Development Goals are much lower than expected so far. There is no way such a failure could be justified while the huge and ever expending public expenses ascribed to armaments do testify that money is available.

How could it be ignored any longer that the reallocation of a mere 10% of the 1200 billions of US dollars spent on military spending all over the world would be sufficient to finance the investments required to ensure the access of all human beings to drinking water, basic food, health and education...

We do not doubt that you will be able to confirm that such an option is listed among the priorities to be considered by M. Douste-Blazy, as Special Adviser on Innovative Financing for Development.

Given the scope of this new mission and the forthcoming summit which will be devoted to the assessment of the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals during the next UN General Assembly in September 2008, we strongly recommend to incorporate within the preparatory works and agenda:

• the contents of the main recommendations and resolutions adopted by the UN concerning disarmament and development ;
• the discussion about the 10% Option, as a unilateral and multilateral initiative towards converting 10% of public spending on armaments into public investments for social development to combat poverty ;
• the launching of the organisation by 2010 of an international citizens’ conference to promote global partnership for human security.