Despite Progress in Improving Peoples’ Well-being, Too Many Still ‘Lack the Basics

for a Decent Life’, Secretary-General Tells ‘Fashion4Development’ Event

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the Fashion4Development event to be held in Seoul on 18 March:

I am pleased to convey warm greetings to this Fashion4Development event.  I thank all involved for your continued support of the United Nations in our work to build a sustainable world of dynamic growth, shared prosperity and environmental protection.

Your gathering this year comes as many important efforts are under way.  Global consultations on the post-2015 development agenda have been taking place across the world, with the next major session to be held later this month in Indonesia.  The voices of civil society, the private sector and the academic, scientific and philanthropic communities are a crucial element in this process.

This past week, United Nations Member States began discussions aimed at articulating a set of Sustainable Development Goals.  Our aim is a framework that can be every bit as successful in inspiring, uniting and mobilizing the world as the Millennium Development Goals have been.

On 5 April, we will reach a milestone — 1,000 days until the end of the year 2015, the deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals.  There has been remarkable progress in improving peoples’ well-being.  Yet, we also know that far too many in our world still lack the basics for a decent life.

We must all do our utmost to accelerate our efforts.  I thank the many figures in the fashion industry who support United Nations causes and look forward to more such fruitful collaboration.  Please accept my best wishes for a successful event.

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For information media • not an official record