PARLIAMENTARIANS CAN TAKE STEPS TO SET WORLD ON COURSE FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY,

SUSTAINABILITY, SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL IN MESSAGE TO GENEVA MEETING

 

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Conference on the global economic crisis, held in Geneva, 7-8 May, delivered by Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development:

I am pleased to send my greetings to this IPU Conference on the global economic crisis.  The United Nations attaches great importance to the work of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.  Parliamentarians make indispensable contributions across our agenda.  Today, the world needs your influence in addressing a number of urgent, interrelated global concerns.

Economic and financial turmoil continues to unsettle markets, risking a reversal in hard-won gains towards the Millennium Development Goals, social unrest and new poverty and hunger for millions.  The impacts of climate change are upon us with greater force and frequency than had been anticipated.  Alongside these perils are complex challenges to international peace and security, including terrorism and extremism, a possible cascade of nuclear proliferation and intra-State conflicts that bring upheaval to entire regions.

The recent outbreak of H1N1 flu is only the latest proof that the fates of all countries are linked.  The world must respond with a new multilateralism, in which the international community comes together, not just to address individual problems, but to tackle them in tandem.  Solutions to climate change, for example, must take account of food and energy needs.  Solutions to the economic crisis can be found in part in green energy, green jobs and green growth.  If we are smart about it, if we can drive at these connections, solutions to each can be solutions to all.

Parliamentarians possess considerable authority to make decisions that will have long-term repercussions for our collective future.  By exchanging ideas at this forum, you can take steps to set the world on course for economic recovery and long-term sustainability.

The United Nations is your partner and your instrument in this critical endeavour.  I pledge my best efforts in supporting you, and in turn will count on your help in advancing our shared goals for a better future.  Please accept my best wishes for a successful conference.

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For information media • not an official record