"We all know that the millennium development goals (MDGs) of 2015 will not be achieved in many developing countries through the present level of the traditional aid flows," Jacques-Andre Costilhes, French ambassador in Dhaka, told newsmen at his residence on Monday.

New ideas and new instruments are therefore needed so that official development assistance (ODA) is increased and does not fluctuate, he said, adding what is needed is additional, stable and predictable new resources for ODA.

Brainstorming on the matter initiated by France in 2003 has gained momentum and earned support from many, including in Bangladesh, Costilhes said. "But poverty does not wait, so it is urgent to go ahead."

The first step can be an international solidarity levy on air tickets based on a small contribution levied on plane tickets issued to passengers departing from participating countries, he explained.

"With this new initiative, it is expected up to 200 million euros per year in France alone," Costilhes said.

France particularly welcomed the decision of Bangladesh, which was already amongst the 79 countries which signed the 'Declaration on Innovative Sources of Financing for Development' in September 2005 in New York, to become a member of the Leading Group on Solidarity Levies to fund development created during this conference.

"Bangladesh is obviously directly concerned," he noted. In order to generate the significant amounts needed to reach the MDGs, it is important that as many countries as possible participate in this initiative.

The international ministerial conference on 'Innovative Financing for Development' held in Paris on February 28 and March 1, 2006, which was inaugurated by French President Jacques Chirac, worked towards that goal.

The conference marked a new step towards rallying the support of the international community for innovative financing for development, Costilhes said mentioning that Bangladesh health and family welfare minister also attended the conference.