Leaders of rich nations competed to show their commitment to the poor after Bill Gates (above) set the pace by donating $750m to support vaccines in developing countries ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos. As the obligation of business and governments towards the third world emerged as a key theme at the Swiss gathering, Gordon Brown, chancellor, promised almost $1.8bn to the same cause over the next 15 years and urged other wealthy countries to contribute a further $1bn over the next decade.

Tony Blair, prime minister, later called for concerted international action on climate change. But the US responded coolly to his challenge. Jacques Chirac, the French president, argued for a global tax on aviation fuel, financial transactions or capital flows in order to provide development aid. Thabo Mbeki, South African president, and Bill Clinton, former US president, cast doubt on the feasibility of Mr Chirac's plan.