United Nations Radio

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged the Group of 20 leaders to prevent the financial crisis from becoming a human crisis that could assume overwhelming political and security dimensions.

In a letter to the leaders in advance of this weekend's G-20 summit on financial markets in Washington, D.C., the Secretary-General says one important way of doing this will be by meeting existing commitments on aid.

He says reforms cannot be restricted to financial sector regulation alone.

He adds they must also deal with the broader challenges for human security, including climate change, conflict prevention and the eradication of poverty.

Secretary-General Ban says an early resolution of issues holding up the Doha trade round would also be a significant contribution to overcoming the crisis.

He says "these broad challenges can only be met through a reinvigorated and inclusive multilateralism," adding that "the United Nations has much to contribute and remains the anchor of such a system."

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

(duration: 54")