“We are aware of our responsibilities and will fulfil our obligations,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who hosted the Group of Eight Summit, told reporters.

Campaigners complain that rich nations have fallen behind on commitments made to double development aid at a summit in Gleneagles, Scotland in 2005.

Leaders agreed to earmark US$60 billion to fight AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, global diseases that have devastated African peoples and their economies. But the declaration set out no specific timetable, saying the money would flow “over the coming years.” Neither did it break down individual countries’ contributions.

Campaigners for Africa say the pledge is made up largely of money which has already been announced, including US$30 billion from the US.

“While lives will be saved with more money for AIDS, this represents a cap on ambition that will ultimately cost millions more of lives,” said Steve Cockburn of the Stop AIDS Campaign. He said the pledge falls short of UN targets which oblige G-8 nations to spend US$15 billion per year to combat AIDS alone until 2010.

Leaders also reiterated an overall pledge made in 2005 to raise annual aid levels by US$50 by 2010, with half going to Africa.