United Nations Radio

Today marks the UN's International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, which commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The theme this year is "Human rights and dignity of people living in poverty".

To mark the occasion, here at Headquarters, UN staff, students and representatives from delegations and non-governmental organizations symbolically stood up to pledge their support to the fight against poverty and to call on world leaders to deliver on their commitments to meet the Millennium Development Goals.

Deputy Secretary-General Asha Rose Migiro said that there is no time to waste if we are to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by the target year of 2015. She told the gathering we must redouble our efforts and form a true partnership for development -- a partnership of rich and poor countries alike, civil society, the private sector, and communities.

"We join millions of people around the world today in standing up against hunger and malnutrition; standing up against deaths from preventable diseases; standing up against poor living conditions. Yes, we are standing up against the lack of basic needs that allow every human being to live in dignity. What an opportune moment to be standing up against poverty."

The Deputy Secretary-General called for solidarity with people living in poverty everywhere.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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