For Immediate Release:	July 1, 2004
For More Information:	Tony Kerridge, Marie Stopes International, 020 7574 7416
Sponsor Organization:	Marie Stopes International
PRESS CONFERENCE: TIME: 12.00 hours PLACE: Foreign Press Association, 11 Carlton House Terrace, London
Almost three quarters of a million pregnant women and newly delivered mothers in developing world countries died over the five year period between 1996-2001, directly as a result of rich industrialised nations' - including the United Kingdom's - failure to honour financial commitments made a decade ago, campaigners will claim today. Whilst figures for the last three years are still in the process of being assessed, indications are that industrialised governments' contributions continue to fall way short of what is owed. This morning, 10 Downing Street will receive the biggest 'red' bill it has ever been presented with - both literally and figuratively - representing the human cost of not meeting these commitments. Baroness Helena Kennedy, QC will lead the delegation of sexual and reproductive health agencies, including Marie Stopes International and Interact Worldwide. Other governments across Europe, who have made - and failed to meet - similar commitments, will also be targeted today as part of a concerted day of action. In 1994 the UK, together with other governments of the industrialised world, pledged to help fund a plan that would see sexual and reproductive health and rights for all by 2015. Developing countries themselves would fund the best part of the costs involved. Ten years on, industrialised governments have fallen far behind with their share of payments and are billions of pounds in arrears. The UK Government has a far better record of supporting sexual and reproductive health and rights than most of its neighbours, however. According to the financial assessment, made by US agency Population Action International, several industrialised nations contributed less than 10% of their fair share during the period 1996-2001 From today, prominent figures and members of the public will also be invited to sign a Declaration of Support calling upon the governments of the industrialised world to keep to their promises and contribute to the prevention of millions of needless deaths. Anyone interested in signing, please log on to http://www.countdown2015.org/SOS and follow instructions. PRESS CONFERENCE: TIME: 12.00 hours PLACE: Foreign Press Association, 11 Carlton House Terrace, London For more information or to organise interviews or acquire photographs, please contact Tony Kerridge or Cathy Bartley on the above numbers, or Diana Thomas, Marie Stopes International: diana.thomas@mariestopes.org.uk.