Focus on Investing in People Will Help Build More Resilient Societies, Economies,

Secretary-General Tells International Conference of Asian Political Parties

 

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) on “Development and People’s Access:  Deliver the Fruits of Development to the People”, in Nanning, China, today, 2 September:

Distinguished leaders and participants, ladies and gentlemen, it is a pleasure to convey greetings to the International Conference of Asian Political Parties.

Asia and the Pacific have emerged as new leaders in the global economy.  The region’s transformation brings with it the potential for dramatic advances in standards of living, building on what has been achieved already.

But there will also be risks and policy challenges in sustaining the dynamic growth that is so critical for closing development gaps and achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Our focus must be on building more resilient societies and economies.  We must do more to invest in people, including by ensuring that social-protection programmes are a mainstay of national development.

Above all, we need to connect the dots between the main challenges we face, from climate change to water scarcity, from food security to pandemic disease, from energy security to the empowerment of women.  Just as people are connected, so are the issues.

With more than 4 billion people, the Asian-Pacific region accounts for more than 60 per cent of the world’s population.  If we get it right in Asia-Pacific, we get it right for two thirds of humanity.  Clearly, the stakes are very high.

I wish you every success in your deliberations.  And I look forward to working with you to achieve truly sustainable development.

Thank you.

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For information media • not an official record