Helping Poor States Meet Development Goals

Deputy UN Chief Calls For More Resources To Help Poor States Meet Development Goals

New York, Mar 18 2010 5:10PM The second-ranking official at the United Nations today called on richer countries to implement their commitments on providing finance for development to help poorer nations reach the social and economic targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“The combination of sound national development strategies, investment in human capital and increased international support can lead to remarkable progress,” Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro said today at a special high-level meeting on the theme “Building on Monterrey and Doha: towards achieving the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).”

The meeting ¬– hosted by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) with the Bretton Woods institutions, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) – is meant to mobilize action and resources ahead of the MDG Summit scheduled for 20-22 September in New York.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is hosting the MDG Summit in hopes of accelerating efforts to reach the eight development targets by the 2015 deadline.

Today, the Deputy Secretary-General highlighted the importance of international trade in financing international development and urged the completion of the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations in 2010.

She also called for the expedition of efforts “to develop an equitable and orderly international debt workout mechanism.”

She reiterated that actions to reform the international financial system must be “well-financed and internationally coordinated, and should help the world move towards a more equitable, stable and development-oriented international financial system.”

Ms. Migiro also said despite efforts by many developing countries to implement economic reforms, “inequality, social exclusion and lack of participation persist.”

She used the meeting as an opportunity to highlight the importance of women’s empowerment and gender equality, a priority issue for both Ms. Migiro and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and stressed the ripple effects caused by carrying out the MDGs, which include provision of vaccinations and meals for children, and agricultural support.

“These measures will go farthest if they are accompanied by long-term national development strategies, international support measures and systemic changes,” the Deputy Secretary-General added.

ENDS