Bob Geldof criticised the Italian governments record on aid to Africa when he received Romes Man for Peace 2005 award on 24 November, in recognition of his anti-poverty campaigning for Africa. He labelled the bel paese the least generous of the worlds developed countries. Geldof called on Italys politicians, of the left and the right, to reverse the trend of ever-dwindling aid budgets. With such luminaries as Mikhail Gorbachev, Lech Walesa and Sting in attendance, the citys mayor Walter Veltroni, also an active campaigner for the cancellation of third world debt, reminded the media that six million African children die every year of hunger. In response to Geldofs remarks, Italys economy minister, Giulio Tremonti, stated that aid for Italys poorer southern regions prevents increased spending abroad.