USD 16 billion pledged for Millennium Development Goals By Dharam Shourie

United Nations, Sept 27 (PTI) Governments, civil
society and business groups have pledged an estimated USD 16
billion in new commitments to help attain the Millennium
Development Goals (M.D.G.s).

"Today we did something special. We brought together a
broad coalition for change," the U.N. Secretary General Ban-Ki
-Moon told a news conference at the end of the day-long event,
which he convened with General Assembly President Miguel
D'Escoto.

The gathering "exceeded our most optimistic
expectations," he stated, noting that it generated an
estimated USD 16 billion, including some USD 1.6 billion
to bolster food security, more than USD 4.5 billion for
education and USD 3 billion to combat malaria.

"If so, that expression of global commitment would be
all the more remarkable because it comes against the backdrop
of financial crisis," the Secretary-General said, who recently
said that soaring food and fuel prices and the global economic
downturn are impeding advances in meeting the internationally
agreed anti-poverty targets.

"Today, we have strengthened the global partnership
for development," Ban told participants at the event's
closing. "Your resolve to act is evident. Yes, you have
stepped up to confront growing challenges. Now, I urge you to
move with more speed and focus."

Ban has called for a summit on the M.D.G.s in 2010 to
further assess the delivery of the commitments undertaken.
D'Escoto said the new initiatives will inject new energy,
resources and hope into global efforts to achieve the Goals.

"However, these good efforts, as important as they
are, are not enough," he noted. "The only way we can alleviate
the suffering of the world's poor is by creating a sound and
just international economic system," he stated, urging
participants to work towards progress on the stalled Doha
round of trade liberalisation talks.

"Ultimately, all countries are responsible for their
own development. But everyone must have fair opportunities to
do so." Nonetheless, he acknowledged the great strides made
today. "We must go forward in partnership, for what we can
achieve together is far greater than what any country or
organisation can accomplish alone."

Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
added his voice to the chorus of those expressing
disappointment at the lack of progress in alleviating the lot
of the world's hundreds of millions of poor people. PTI DS
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