Secretary-General Tells Advocacy Group Their New Report Will Help

 

Global Push towards Achieving Millennium Development Goals

 

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki‑moon’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, to the Fifth Annual Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Advocacy Group Meeting, in New York today:

Five years ago, I established this group to build awareness and galvanize action on the MDGs [Millennium Development Goals].  Today, we can be proud of what we have achieved in fighting poverty and improving health, education and gender parity.

The success of the MDGs has also shown the way towards an ambitious agenda for sustainable development and defining the post-2015 agenda.  I deeply appreciate your time and energy. Your knowledge, leadership and expertise are critical to keeping up MDG momentum.

We have less than 500 days.  I am counting on your continued support to advance progress, especially in those areas and countries still lagging behind.  I know you are working hard to inform and activate Governments, civil society, and the private sector.

The report you will launch this morning will add weight to our global push to keep the focus on the MDGs.  I thank you deeply for your commitment and engagement to keep our collective promise of a better world for all.  Thank you very much.

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For information media • not an official record