UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has hailed France's decision to impose a tax on airline tickets that would fuel aid for developing countries.
"The secretary general warmly welcomes the adoption by the parliament of France of a levy on airline tickets issued locally that will benefit the health sector of developing countries, starting July 2006," the UN spokesman said in a statement.
"This is a significant step, raising additional sources of innovative financing in support of the efforts by developing countries to reach the (UN) Millennium Development Goals.
"The secretary general strongly urges other countries to follow France's lead with similar measures," the spokesman said.
The French parliament on Thursday approved a tax on air tickets that will aid developing countries, paving the way for the levy to be applied as of July 2006.
The tax -- which is expected to raise 200 million euros (240 million dollars) a year for AIDS and other health programs largely directed at African states -- will add between one and 40 euros to the price of tickets for flights leaving French airports, depending on the distance and class of seat.
Airline industry groups opposed the measure, fearing it would add to the financial burdens on the sector and possibly lead to job losses.
Algeria, Brazil, Britain, Chile and Norway have all publicly backed the idea and indicated they may follow in Paris's footsteps.