Developing countries need help to achieve millennium goals – Fréchette
Worsening economic conditions have increased the challenge of achieving the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), ranging from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS to providing universal primary education, all by 2015, Ms. Fréchette told the Council of Ministers of the joint African, Caribbean and Pacific Group (ACP) and the European Union (EU) in Brussels.
“Let us be clear,” she warned. “The MDGs can be achieved only if efforts in developing countries are supported by those with the means to provide the ODA [Overseas Development Assistance], debt relief, market access and stimulation of foreign direct investment that are needed.”
She said the UN was mounting a four-pronged strategy to support the Goals. The first was to develop the tools to monitor progress at the global, regional and country level. Second was the launching of the Millennium Project, to identify the best strategies and practices for achieving the goals, and the Millennium Campaign.
The third prong was to build popular and political support for the MDGs. Finally, she said the UN would concentrate efforts to provide concrete, coordinated assistance to partner countries.
“Achieving the Millennium Goals would transform the life of millions of people,” she concluded. “If we can build truly effective support at the country level, and sustained political commitment at the global level, we have a good chance of achieving them.”
Earlier today Ms. Fréchette met with Chris Patten, the European Commission’s External Relations Commissioner. She is due to return to New York tomorrow.