Letter template to French ambassador

I write with regard to the G20 meeting being hosted by France in Cannes in November this year. I would like to see the world's biggest and richest economies hold governments accountable for their pledge to halve global poverty as set out in the Millennium Development Goals.

I welcome the ongoing work of the G20 to combat corruption, and in particular the detailed anti-corruption action plan announced in Seoul last November.

I am aware that in the least developed countries, corruption, local and international, is a major barrier to overcoming poverty. It is a brake on development. Working together, the G20 countries can play a crucial role in tackling this scourge.

At a time of ongoing concern about the global economy, strong action to improve transparency and end corruption is an important way to release additional financial resources that will help to meet the commitments that governments have made to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
I encourage you to pass on my concerns and the concerns of millions of others around the world.

1) Follow the lead of the US to introduce a requirement for mining companies listed on their stock exchanges to publish all payments they make to foreign governments.

This will help deliver the wealth of oil, gas and minerals extracted in developing countries to its citizens, especially those living in poverty.
2) Improve the fight against tax havens that allow considerable sums of money to by-pass national taxation and deprive the country of substantial financial resources for their development.

Global tax losses amount to over a hundred billion dollars per year at a time when the global financial crisis has prompted cuts in national budgets around the world. Developing countries lose more to tax avoidance each year than they receive in aid. This is money that could be used to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

I look forward to seeing action at the G20 meeting in November, and commit to pray for your nation as it leads the talks.

Yours sincerely,
{Your Name and address}