United Nations Radio

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called on member countries to mobilize to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, known as MDGs aimed at ending poverty, disease and hunger. In remarks to the General Assembly, Mr. Ban set out an agenda for the year ahead.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Among the seven strategic opportunities which he said could make the world "safer, fairer and more prosperous" number one involved sustained solutions to extreme poverty, the food crisis and the need for reliable, clean and green energy. Finding such solutions were important, he said, because despite some improvement in the world economy, people everywhere were still hurting.

"Even in the wealthiest countries, they fear losing jobs and livelihoods. As for the world's poor, and especially in the least developed countries, they live in fear of putting food on their tables, even of having a roof over their heads."

With only 6 years left to meet these goals aimed at combating poverty, disease and hunger, the Secretary-General urged making 2010 a year of sustainable development to meet the MDGs, address climate change, promote global health and take the necessary steps for lasting and robust economic recovery.

The other priorities outlined by the Secretary-General include a binding agreement on climate change, empowering women as never before, a nuclear-free world, preventing and resolving deadly conflicts, progress on human rights and the rule of law and building a stronger UN for a better world.

Diane Bailey, UN Radio.

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