Ban urges Member States to support UN’s work during time of crises

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on all nations to strengthen United Nations operations and “protect hard-fought gains” in the developing world, stressing that during times of crises the world body cannot fail the poorest and the most vulnerable.

Mr. Ban told an informal meeting of Member States focusing on streamlining the work of the UN on the ground that their consultations “resume against a stark economic backdrop.

“Grim economic news is having major cascading effects on prospects for eradicating poverty and hunger, realizing the Millennium Development Goals [MDGs] and moving our world to a sustainable path of development.”

Mr. Ban highlighted the intense pressure Member States feel as revenues are eroded for both individuals and governments.

“At times like these, when people turn to the United Nations for help, we must deliver,” he stressed.

“We must deliver real benefits that improve lives and we ourselves must come together as a single family to further the international development agenda that we have helped to shape and that is a core part of our identity and global mission,” added Mr. Ban.

The Secretary-General underscored the need to achieve stronger coherence among UN agencies and offices for the world body’s work to be more efficient and more effective.

“These informal consultations can help forge common approaches and genuine programmatic cooperation across the system,” he said.

The General Assembly’s consultations are aimed at finding ways create greater UN system-wide coherence by looking at the Organization’s efforts regarding gender, governance and finance.

Mr. Ban suggested consolidating the four gender focused entities – the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women, the Division for the Advancement of Women, the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the UN International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW) – as one example of how the UN can act as one unified body.

“A solution is within our grasp,” said the Secretary-General, referring to a paper presented to the President of the General Assembly on his behalf, which reflects the views of Member States, UN entities and civil society on the issue.