Poverty Eradication Must Remain Central to Development, Secretary-General Says at Observance of International Day

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks of commemoration at the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty observance event, in New York today:

I thank the Permanent Missions of France and Burkina Faso, as well as the Fourth World Movement, for hosting this observance.  The goal of eradicating poverty has been a central aim of the United Nations throughout its history.  I am determined to re-double our efforts to make poverty history.

Lives disfigured by poverty are cruel, mean, and often, short.  Our goal must be a world of dignity, opportunity and well-being, where no one is left behind.  The poor and vulnerable are themselves indispensable partners in this work.  Their knowledge and perspectives are vital if we are to find meaningful, durable solutions.

We must all ensure that the voices of people living in poverty are not only heard, but acted upon.  Member States are showing a strong commitment to ensuring that poverty eradication is at the heart of the post-2015 development agenda.  Together, we have made remarkable progress.  At least 700 million people were lifted out of extreme poverty between 1990 and 2010.

Despite this enormous success, one of five persons in developing regions lives on less than $1.25 a day.  Where poverty persists, development gains are difficult to achieve and even harder to sustain.  Where poverty and inequality are entrenched, instability and conflict are far more likely to erupt.  Where poverty holds sway anywhere, people are held back everywhere.

Our discussion of poverty today would not be complete without mentioning the risks posed by the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa.  The disease is a threat, not only to health, but to economic progress and the inroads against poverty that were being made in the region.  Ebola is a huge and urgent global problem that demands a huge and urgent global response.

I salute the courage of the many medical and support personnel who are working at great personal risk on the front lines of the response to end the Ebola epidemic in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.  The people and Governments of West Africa are demonstrating significant resilience.  We all have a responsibility to provide the assistance for which they have asked.

Dozens of countries are showing their solidarity.  But, we need to turn pledges into action — now.  We need at least a 20-fold surge in assistance — mobile laboratories, vehicles, helicopters, protective equipment, trained medical personnel and medevac capacities.

I have appealed for $1 billion for a Flexible, Accountable, Strategic and Transparent fund to help reduce the rate of transmission by 1 December.  That stands for FAST.  I repeat:  Flexible, Accountable, Strategic and Transparent.  Ebola transmission is rising exponentially.  That means more cases, more deaths, more grief and more poverty.  It is essential that Governments step up now to avoid even greater needs tomorrow.

The United Nations system has mobilized to meet this monumental task.  We have established UNMEER — the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response — to coordinate and scale up action.  But, the United Nations cannot do this alone; no organization can.  The fight against Ebola requires greater international cooperation.  That is why I have also formed a Global Ebola Response Coalition.

The disease can be beaten by a rapid and robust response.  Every day matters.  Every contribution matters.  The United Nations will continue to work with all partners to bring the disease under control.

As we accelerate work towards the Millennium Development Goals, shape a post-2015 agenda and seek an agreement on climate change, let us keep the eradication of poverty in all its dimensions at the centre.  I urge Member States and all partners to act decisively together to build a sustainable, peaceful, prosperous and equitable future for all.

Thank you for your commitment.