Ban Ki-Moon must show UN still believes in end to global poverty
As the G8 fails to keep pace, Ban Ki-Moon must show the UN still believes in an end to global poverty
Wednesday 11 July 2007
Ban Ki-Moon's speech tomorrow at Chatham House research center - his first to the UK public since taking office as Secretary General in January - is a chance for him to show that the UN is still committed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Save the Children's research shows that, because world leaders haven't lived up to their promises on the goal to reduce child mortality by two-thirds, 1.5 million children died last year alone.
This summer marks the half way point towards the MDGs. Since 2000, 12 million children have died. Ban Ki-Moon has a tailor-made opportunity, and a practical duty, to reinvigorate the leadership role of the UN.
"The dismal failure of the G8 this year to honour its own commitments means that the ball has landed squarely in Ban Ki-Moon's court. The world needs the leadership of the UN.
"A special meeting must be called to address the current slow progress of these goals. The MDGs are the UN's promises to the poor children of the world, and they cannot be allowed to fail. This is a huge test of the credibility of the UN," said Adrian Lovett, Save the Children's Director of Campaigns and Communications.
