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2007 is crucial for MDGs - Ki-Moon

2007 is crucial for MDGs - Ki-Moon
By Inonge Noyoo
Sunday March 11, 2007 [02:01]

THIS year is crucial in our efforts to reach the MDGs as it marks the halfway point to the 2015 targets, UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon has said. In his message to the Conference on Official Development Aid, Ban said the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) represent a partnership between rich and poor countries for building a better future.

"Many regions remain distressingly off track, particularly in Africa. We must move quickly to implement our commitments. I take special pride in Korea's efforts to mobilise support for the MDGs, through this conference and other initiatives. I am all the more moved because in my lifetime, I have seen Korea transform itself from a war-ravaged and impoverished country, into a thriving society and globally competitive economy," Ban said. "The Korean people achieved this through their own determination, village by village, community by community. But they were also backed by remarkable support from the international community."

He said Korea's grounded approach to assistance remains highly relevant. "Today, you will hear about one example. My special adviser, Professor Jeffrey Sachs, will describe how the United Nations supports Millennium Villages in Africa," Ban said.

"These empower rural Africans with the basic tools they need to escape extreme poverty. I am proud that the Korean Government will now join this effort in Madagascar. Together, we must implement such programmes on a large scale. This conference has an important role to play in advancing that mission."

Labels: DEVELOPMENT, MDGs

posted by MrK @ 5:27 AM