UNITED NATIONS, EUROPEAN UNION SHARE MANY OBJECTIVES, DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL

SAYS AT LAUNCH OF REPORT IN BRUSSELS

 

Following is the text of remarks as delivered today by UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro to the press at the launch of the United Nations report:  The Partnership between the UN and the EU, in Brussels:

I am very happy that one of my first official visits abroad in my new role as Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations is to the European Union.  The EU is one of the great supporters of multilateralism, and is a good, close partner of the United Nations.

Our organizations are united by common values.

The UN and the EU share many of the same objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).  Indeed, I would like to thank Mr. Michel for his personal leadership in mobilizing aid for the MDGs.

Our organizations are committed to addressing the needs of the poor and disadvantaged.  I welcome the fact that more than 60 per cent of UN-EU cooperation involves my home continent, which faces some of the greatest development, environmental and humanitarian challenges of our times.

The UN and the EU are also accountable to many of the same people: the people of the developing world, and the citizens of Europe who show tremendous solidarity with them and with the agenda of the United Nations.

My visit to Brussels coincides with the launch of a report documenting this very constructive partnership in the crucial area of development and humanitarian assistance.  The numbers reveal just how much we are doing together.

In 2005, with expenditures of more than €700 million from the European Commission, UN-EU cooperation extended to more than 80 developing countries and countries in transition.  That funding gave 50 million citizens in 10 countries, mainly in Africa, a chance to vote.  Nine million textbooks were distributed to 7 million children across Africa and the Arab States.  Four hundred million children were immunized, and 2.2 billion doses of oral polio vaccine were administrated.  At the height of the tsunami in the Indian Ocean, UN-EU assistance fed 2 million people daily.  Seven million refugees and internally displaced people received assistance.  Eighteen million square meters of land of landmines were cleared, paving the way for economic recovery and a resumption of agricultural activity.

The message is clear: the United Nations and the European Union are engaged in a vital, tremendously complementary partnership.  The UN’s unique legitimacy, global presence and expertise have helped the EU to achieve greater impact.  Together, we are making a positive difference in the lives of men, women and children throughout the world.

I thank the people of Europe for their support, and affirm my commitment to continuing this partnership.

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For information media • not an official record