Targeted Poverty Strategies Only Way to Reach Those Farthest Behind, Secretary-General Tells Development Forum

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum, in Beijing today:

I am pleased to send greetings to participants in the 2017 Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum.

This year marks the twenty-fifth International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.  During this quarter-century, the number of people living in extreme poverty has halved and living conditions have improved all over the world.  But, the fight against poverty is not over.  Globalization and technological progress have increased inequalities and left millions of people behind.  Reducing and eradicating poverty is the key to improving lives and realizing the potential of hundreds of millions of people.

The theme of this year’s Forum, “Targeted Poverty Alleviation and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda”, is timely.  Targeted poverty reduction strategies are the only way to reach those farthest behind and achieve the ambitious targets set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  China has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, and its experiences can provide valuable lessons to other developing countries.  I am confident that China’s continued efforts to address its remaining challenges, and its model of inclusive development, will continue to reduce the numbers of those living in poverty and help address the serious disparities between rich and poor, rural and urban, the coast and the interior.

We are at a critical juncture for implementation of the 2030 Agenda.  With the right tools and partnerships, we can make sure that no child is born into poverty, and that everyone has a chance to thrive in a more equitable, prosperous and sustainable world.  I urge China’s continued leadership in this effort.

I thank you for coming together for this important meeting and look forward to our continued collaboration.