UN chief praises proposed outreach centers for South-East Asia
March 25, 2008
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed on Monday the proposed
outreach centers throughout South-East Asia in an effort to meet the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
"The new Center, and its local and regional affiliates, will provide
continuity for your initiatives," Ban said in a video address to a
meeting on achieving the MDGs held by the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Bangkok, capital of Thailand.
"They will also serve as key MDG hubs, promoting development
activities throughout the region," he noted, hoping "they will help
step-up the pace, and ensure that all South East Asia reaches the
goals in full, and on time."
The UN chief said South-East Asia has made progress in reducing the
number of people living in extreme poverty and the number of children
who die of preventable causes.
However, he continued in the message, a copy of which was also
released by his spokesperson office at the UN Headquarters in New
York, progress is uneven, both between countries and across
indicators.
Ban stressed that such initiatives as the current meeting and the
Center for Excellence could help close the gaps, by bringing together
policy-makers, experts and representatives of civil society to
formulate fresh approaches to existing challenges and to broaden MDG
awareness and outreach.
"The Millennium Development Goals are no mere aspirations," he
concluded. "They are commitments -- sacred vows to the poorest, most
vulnerable sections of humanity. Let us keep our promises. Let us
build a world we can all be proud of."
Source:Xinhua
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