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Secretary-General says global financial crisis affects Millennium Development Goals
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon says delays in delivering aid to poor countries coupled with the global financial crisis and climate change was slowing the attainment of the millennium development goals. Speaking in Geneva, Mr Ban urged developed countries to honour their commitments to increase financial and technical support to poor countries to help fight poverty. Patrick Maigua sent us this report.
Ban Ki-moon
Speaking at the start of the 2009 United Nations Economic and Social Council Annual ministerial review meeting, the Secretary General said the current global economic environment was making it difficult for poor countries to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Mr Ban said although there was abundant evidence that aid can transform lives, aid commitments made by developed countries back in 2005 to help poor countries fight poverty remains 20 billion dollars below target. Mr Ban said the drive towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals must be backed by adequate funding and strong political commitment.
"Higher food prices in 2008 have reversed the nearly two-decade trend in reversing hunger. Momentum to reduce overall poverty in the developing world is also slowing. Tens of millions of people have been pushed into joblessness and greater vulnerability. Some countries stand to miss their poverty reduction target. I urge the G8 to set out, country by country, how donors will scale up aid to Africa over the next year. The credibility of the international system depends on whether donors deliver. The United Nations, for its part, will continue to do its utmost to speak up for those most in need. We are establishing a Global Impact and Vulnerability Alert System to be able to better track the impact of the economic crisis on the poorest and most vulnerable populations."
This year's ECOSOC meeting will be focusing on the implementation of internationally agreed goals and commitments in regard to global public health. Patrick Maigua, UN Radio, Geneva.
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