Secretary-General, in Message for Astana Economic Forum, Urges Governments

To Adopt Sustainable Growth Policies Focused on Job Creation

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the seventh Astana Economic Forum and World Anti-Crisis Conference, in Astana, Kazakhstan, 21-23 May:

Your Excellency President Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Your Excellency Prime Minister Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak of Malaysia; Petar Stoyanov, former President of the Republic of Bulgaria; President of the UN Economic and Social Council Martin Sajdik; Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus; excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to greet the seventh Astana Economic Forum and World Anti-Crisis Conference.

The global economy is still recovering from the 2008 financial crisis.  United Nations economic projections are broadly positive.  But there are still many serious problems.  I am especially concerned about youth unemployment.  This generation of young people is the largest in history.  They deserve opportunities to realize their dreams and contribute to our common progress.  That is why I am calling on Governments to adopt sustainable growth policies that focus on creating jobs.

The United Nations has three major, interlinked priorities in the period ahead.  First, to reach the Millennium Development Goals, the life-saving anti-poverty targets that have rallied the world and generated encouraging success; second, to shape a global development agenda beyond 2015.  United Nations Member States broadly agree that ending poverty should be the top priority of the future agenda, and sustainable development should be its core.  Third, to adopt a meaningful new climate agreement. I am convening a climate summit in New York on 23 September to mobilize solutions and action.

At this time of challenge and change, let us work together for people and our planet, and leave a legacy of progress to future generations.

Thank you.

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For information media • not an official record