Annan urges Caribbean leaders to be bold about policies for reaching MDGs

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has urged the leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to devise national development strategies "bold enough to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)" aimed at reducing or eliminating socio-economic ills by 2015.

In a message delivered by Under-Secretary-General Anwarul K. Chowdhury to the meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in St. Lucia on Sunday, Mr. Annan said to reach those goals developing countries should have the implementation of their plans well in hand by next year and rich countries should support them on aid, trade and debt relief.

The Secretary-General also called on the Caribbean leaders for support in several areas, including UN reform, assistance to Haiti, a CARICOM member, and strengthening international human rights activities.