Multitude of global crises set back efforts for MDGs, threaten future progress: UN chief

UNITED NATIONS, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Aftershocks of the global financial, food and climate crises have set back efforts towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and threaten future progress, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said here Monday.

"The recovery from the most severe recession in recent history has been tentative and uneven," Ban said in remarks to the week- long high-level segment of the UN Economic and Social Council. "It cannot compensate for the losses suffered."

Officials from various sectors of finance to government meet this week at the UN Headquarters in New York to discuss progress in reaching the MDGs by 2015 and implications of the current financial climate towards the internationally established targets.

"We are likely to miss several goals, especially in the least developed countries, land-locked developing countries, small island developing states and countries in or emerging from conflict," Ban warned.

Highlighting global crises and the disparities that exist, particularly, for the world's most vulnerable, the major economies need to be held accountable to their commitments.

The 2010 MDG Report has showed that some countries have made " significant progress" on reducing extreme poverty over the last decade, Ban noted.

With the overall poverty rate expected to fall to 15 percent by 2015, it will be half of 1990 levels, Ban said.

Citing progress in the access to education for children, declines in child mortality, increases in access to antiretroviral treatment for HIV/AIDS, Ban said such progresses show that the MDGs is achievable.

"The recipe is clear: the right polices, adequate investment and reliable international support," he said.

The Economic and Social Council has an important role to play, Ban said, outlining that jobs, food security and the investment into women need to be stepped up.

"Of all the MDGs, the one where we have achieved least success is on maternal health," Ban said.

Each year between 10 and 15 million women suffer long-term disability due to complications during pregnancy or childbirth.

In the 21st century, it is unacceptable that mothers should still be dying as they deliver new life," Ban said, urging officials to build momentum for the UN Joint Action Plan on the health of women and children.

"Together, we must urge governments to change attitudes and policies towards women and girls," he said.

Ban urged officials to match political will and cooperation to achieve the MDGs, as they consider how to expand national efforts towards the targets.

"We must deliver results for the world's most vulnerable," Ban said, noting that the international community has the "tools" to do so.

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