Leaving No One Behind Means Listening to Poor People, Acting with Them, Says Secretary-General in Message on Day for Eradication of Poverty

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed today:

Hello, everyone.  Today, we stand in solidarity with 800 million people around the world who live in extreme poverty.  Many more are threatened by alarmingly high rates of unemployment, insecurity, inequality, conflict and the effects of climate change.

But, we have made remarkable progress on eradicating poverty since 1990.  And all countries have recommitted to fighting poverty and exclusion everywhere.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is our plan to take a different course.  This globally agreed Agenda pledges to secure a healthy planet and build peaceful, inclusive societies to ensure lives of dignity for all.

Its pledge to leave no one behind will require innovative approaches, partnerships and solutions.  That means addressing the root causes of poverty in order to eradicate it entirely.  It means listening to the views and guidance of people living in poverty, and acting together with them.

Let us join hands to Stop Poverty — All Together in Dignity.  Thank you.