United Nations Shaping New Development Agenda, Leading Global Response to Pressing Crisis, Secretary-General Tells Beijing Forum in Video Message

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the Beijing Forum 2014, held from 7 to 9 November:

I am pleased to send greetings to all participants at the Beijing Forum 2014.  I commend you for focusing on critical issues affecting this region and our world.

The United Nations is leading the global response to pressing crises.  Poverty.  Conflict.  Terrorism.  Human rights abuses.  Climate change.  And diseases, including Ebola.

Despite these challenges, we have achieved progress.  Through the United Nations-led Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), global poverty has been cut in half, thanks to progress in China and other countries.  More children are spared death from preventable diseases, and more women survive pregnancy and childbirth.

Now, we are in the final stretch to reach the MDGs.  We are holding an inspiring global conversation to shape a new universal development agenda.  And we are pressing for a meaningful new climate agreement.  All by next year.

The United Nations is answering the call of people around the world for protection from violence, greed and inequality.  In this effort, we count on our partners.  I look forward to hearing the results of your discussions, and I wish you great success.