SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN MESSAGE TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY HIGH-LEVEL MEETING, PRESENTS

FIRST COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND CHILDREN

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message for the General Assembly’s High-Level Commemorative Plenary Meeting on Children, in New York, today, 11 December:

I am sorry I could not be with you for this meeting on the rights and well-being of children.  I am in Bali for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, where we will also be addressing the needs of succeeding generations.

The special session in 2002 was truly special in many ways.  It was the first devoted exclusively to children.  It was the first to be attended by both children and Heads of State and Government.  It culminated in the adoption of a landmark document:  A World Fit for Children.

This new agenda was written for, and with, the world’s children.  It included 21 specific goals and targets for promoting healthy lives; providing quality education for all boys and girls; and protecting children from abuse, exploitation and HIV/AIDS.

At this year’s commemorative meeting, I have the honour of presenting to you a new document:  Children and the Millennium Development Goals.  It is my first comprehensive report on the Millennium Development Goals as they specifically relate to children.

I am delighted that, once again, children and young people are joining the General Assembly.  Some of them were involved five years ago; others are from a new generation helping to ensure that the nations of the world live up to the promises they made in 2002.

May these young people’s engagement inspire you in your deliberations.  Together, in Bali and New York, let us work to make a lasting difference for succeeding generations.

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For information media • not an official record