United Nations Radio

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says "this year 2008 should mark a turning point in progress towards the Millennium Development Goals-MDG's."

He says a recent report "is a wake-up call" which provides a valuable snapshot of where the global community is on track in fulfilling its commitments, and where we need to strengthen our efforts for the second half of the MDG timetable."

The Secretary-General made his comments at a press conference on the launch of the report.

"This report sounds a strong alarm. The main message is that while there has been progress on several counts, delivery on commitments made by Member States has been deficient, and has fallen behind schedule. We are already in the second half of our contest against poverty. We are running out of time."

The UN is currently preparing for a gathering of world leaders on 25 September to step up efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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