Secretary-General, at Millennium Goals Summit Side Event, Says Growth, Dynamism

 

in Least Developed Countries Can Help Spur Global Economic Recovery

 

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the Millennium Development Goals Summit side event on the least developed countries, in New York, today, 21 September:

Thank you for inviting me to this meeting.

The world’s least developed countries have made some progress in addressing some of the most pressing Millennium Development Goals.  School enrolment has improved dramatically.  Many countries have made good progress in reducing child mortality and expanding access to clean water.  These achievements are truly remarkable given that it happened at a time of multiple global crises.

However, their vulnerable economies and Millennium Development Goals gains remain under unsustainable pressure.  There is a strong case for a global crisis-mitigation and resilience-building package for least developed countries.  Indeed, the least developed countries remain the group facing the most severe challenges in achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Poverty remains very high.  More than half the 800 million people in least developed countries live below the poverty line.  Only 6 of the 49 least developed countries have poverty rates of less than 30 per cent.  Hunger and malnutrition are widespread.  Progress in improving maternal health and reducing maternal mortality has been slow.

Inadequate transport infrastructure and uneven power supply make countries less competitive.  It is increasingly clear that economic infrastructure and productive capacity-building hold the key to generating decent jobs, especially for the large youth populations in least developed countries.  More investment is also needed in agriculture, the backbone of many least-developed-country economies.

The least developed countries have done a lot to improve economic management and political governance.  They have weathered the food, fuel and financial crises with limited safety nets and very limited fiscal space to promote job creation and protect social spending.  The international community must continue to stand with them at this time, despite the economic difficulties that are putting pressure on aid budgets and other kinds of support.  This is a moral commitment, first and foremost — a test of global solidarity.

But it is also true that growth and dynamism in the least developed countries can help spur global economic recovery.  The Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries next year in Istanbul will be a major opportunity to deepen the global partnership envisaged in the Millennium Development Goals.  I call on all Member States to put their political weight behind this Conference.  Our goal should be a new compact of targeted, generous and effective international support, grounded in the recognition of the importance of a properly empowered State.

The least developed countries represent the poorest and most vulnerable segment of humanity.  They remain at the epicentre of the developmental emergency.  They have a special claim on our attention at this Summit and beyond.

I look forward to working with you to respond to their needs and to realize their aspirations.

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For information media • not an official record