continue pursuit of development goals despite focus on world financial crisis,

Deputy Secretary-General urges latin america, caribbean regional forum

 

Following is the text of Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro’s closing remarks at the annual meeting of the Regional Coordination Mechanism in Latin America and the Caribbean Region, as delivered in Santiago, Chile, on 3 November:

I congratulate all of you on a thought-provoking and productive meeting.  The discussions and the agreements reached reflect your commitment to enhancing inter-agency coordination and coherence in this region, thus enabling the United Nations system to deliver as one.

I must say, it is encouraging to see all the relevant United Nations agencies in Latin America and the Caribbean represented here.  This is the spirit that we are talking about when we refer to One UN.  I am glad you are standing together as one family.

Despite the current focus on financial issues at a time of crisis, countries in Latin America and the Caribbean need to continue pushing on through with the internationally agreed-upon development goals.  Millions of people are counting on us.  We must not fail.

I commend you for the active leadership you have demonstrated in addressing the impact that the global financial crisis is having on our development agenda. Your specialized views, taken together, will help provide the comprehensive response the region expects from the United Nations.

I am particularly pleased you are looking ahead and have reached important agreements on the preparation of next year’s inter-agency reports on the Millennium Development Goals.

I have seen your resolve to review the progress of your activities and discuss in-depth ways in which the United Nations system can better assist the countries in the region.

I also note your emphasis on finding new synergies between the agenda of the Regional [Coordination] Mechanism and that of the Regional Directors Team.  This is precisely what the system needs if it is to reach the full potential of its capacities.

It is also a clear example of the fundamental role played by the regional leadership in strengthening the links between the global and the regional, and between the regional and the country levels.

Have no doubt how committed I am to the RCM processes in all regions.

I intend to make a special effort to ensure we share and apply lessons arising from our work.  We have a lot to learn from each other.

To conclude, let me reiterate that we need to strengthen our collective engagement.  You can count on my personal support and that of the Secretary-General, as I am sure we will continue to count on yours.

Thanks to each and every one of you who has participated in this meeting, including by videoconference.

I leave Santiago with an enriched perspective of your work and good memories of an RCM committed to the principles that the United Nations stands for.

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For information media • not an official record