SECRETARY-GENERAL COMMENDS GLOBAL WELFARE EFFORTS OF ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

This is the text of a message from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 8 November to the Rotary International Day at the United Nations (delivered on his behalf by Kim Wonsoo, Deputy Chef de Cabinet):

It is a great pleasure to welcome you all to the United Nations.  It is always a pleasure to host Rotary International.  We share your commitment to securing global public goods.  And we value the energy you bring to tackling global challenges.  Ours is a good, long-standing partnership.  Today, we need your hard work more than ever.

Earlier this year, I started speaking about what I described as a “triple crisis”: soaring prices for food and fuel; accelerating climate change; and stalled development for the world’s poorest people.  Some thought I was exaggerating.  Today, we see that, if anything, it was an understatement.  The global financial crisis has brought an additional shock, compounding all the others.

Though it may have receded from the headlines, the food crisis is still very much with us.  Food and fertilizer prices are two times as high as they were a year ago.

Climate change grows worse with every passing day.  Some ask how we can afford to tackle climate change in the midst of a financial crisis.  But given the potential of green growth, which can create jobs and spur investment, I ask: how can we afford not to?

And progress towards the Millennium Development Goals has been uneven.  Many countries are falling behind, especially in Africa.  We hear much in this country about how problems on Wall Street affect people on Main Street.  We also need to think about people around the world with no streets at all.

A series of upcoming meetings offers a test -- and an opportunity to get on track.  These include the G-20 gathering in Washington, the financing for development conference later this month in Doha and climate negotiations next month in Poznan, Poland.  We must make the most of these occasions.

Partnerships will be crucial as we move ahead.  The United Nations attaches great importance to close ties with Rotary International, and is grateful for the contributions you have made to global health, education and poverty eradication efforts.  We also look forward to working with the new Administration of President-elect Obama, who has spoken often of the importance of diplomacy, international cooperation and a strong United Nations.

Together, we can and must deliver results for a safer, healthier and more prosperous world.  It is encouraging to know that the United Nations will continue to be able to count on Rotary International to do its part.  Please accept my best wishes for a memorable day.

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For information media • not an official record