Children Should Be at Centre of Every Dimension of Sustainable Development, Says Secretary-General in Message to Fourth International Conference

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message, delivered by Rana Flowers, United Nations Children’s Fund representative, to the fourth International Conference on Poverty Reduction and Early Child Development – “Investing in Early Child Development to Reduce Poverty and Improve Equality in Development”, held in Beijing from 21 to 24 October:

I thank the China Development Research Foundation of the Development Research Centre of the State Council, the Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood and the Every Woman, Every Child China Partnership Network for hosting this important conference.

China has achieved transformational results towards the Millennium Development Goals, having reduced poverty on an unprecedented scale, and improved education, health, gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Globally, great strides have been made in improving child survival in the past decade.  Child mortality has declined by more than 50 per cent in every region since 1990.  But, we still have much to achieve.  At current levels, 94 million children under five will die over the next 15 years.  And among those who survive, millions may not be able to attain their full developmental potential.  The economic and societal ramifications are profound.

For all children to survive and thrive, we must scale up interventions, from before conception, through pregnancy and childbirth, and into early childhood.  This will require greater innovation and resources.  But, this is one of the best investments the world can make.

We must also address the many issues that are linked to child development, such as health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, climate change and gender equality — all of which contribute to reducing poverty.  That is why cross-sector collaboration is critical.  Partnerships like the Every Woman, Every Child movement have generated solid results, as the United Nations has worked hand in hand with Governments, civil society, the private sector and academia.

Last month, I launched the updated Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health in support of the Sustainable Development Goals.  I was pleased to see this dynamic umbrella partnership continue to grow, with many countries and partners joining or renewing their commitments.  Among them is China, which has a strong focus on improving the lives of women and children in China and elsewhere through South-South collaboration.

Our shared conviction is clear: children should be at the centre of all dimensions of sustainable development.  Early child development is fundamental to reaching our vision of ending all preventable maternal, child and adolescent deaths by 2030 and ensuring the well-being of all children everywhere.  It is also among the keys to reducing poverty and advancing progress on all of the Sustainable Development Goals.

I encourage everyone in this room today to work together through Every Woman, Every Child and the China Partnership Network to build innovative and sustainable partnerships that will help children survive, thrive and realize their greatest potential.  I wish you a successful conference.