Secretary-General, Stressing Fairness in Message to International Finance Forum,

 

Says Systems Must Work for People, Not against Them

 

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the International Finance Forum Annual Conference, in Beijing, from 16 to 18 November:

Mr. Cheng Siwei, Chairman of the International Finance Forum; Dr. Han Seung-soo, Chairman of the IFF International Advisory Board; distinguished participants, ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to greet all those participating in the Annual Conference of the International Finance Forum.  This year’s Conference comes at a pivotal moment as the world continues to cope with a global economic transition and challenges.

Many countries are suffering from fragility in the finance sector, the sovereign debt crises, the economic downturn and high unemployment.  We are also facing grave environmental threats.  There are doubts about whether our financial systems can improve economic efficiency and enhance people’s lives.

We have to rebuild a more inclusive international financial architecture that serves the needs of all people.  And we have to uphold the principle of fairness.  Our systems must work for people, not against them, and help build lives of dignity and opportunity for all.

This International Finance Forum has served as a valuable platform for policy dialogue and innovation.  Over the next two days, I count on you to generate bold ideas that can help us defeat poverty, achieve the Millennium Development Goals and pave the way to a more equitable and sustainable future.

Thank you.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record