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Innovative solutions, partnerships key to eradicating poverty, says UN chief

Innovative solutions, partnerships key to eradicating poverty, says UN chief

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Groundbreaking ideas and collaborative efforts are crucial in advancing the global anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today told over 300 leaders from business, foundations and non-governmental organizations.

Groundbreaking ideas and collaborative efforts are crucial in advancing the global anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today told over 300 leaders from business, foundations and non-governmental organizations.

In a message to the opening of the two-day “Incentive2Innovate” conference hosted by the United Nations, Mr. Ban said widespread poverty is worsening because of the global financial crisis.

Noting that some 6 million children die of malnutrition before they turn five and that “climate change threatens havoc in all countries,” he stressed that by bringing together government officials, business executives and philanthropists, “we can confront the major threats plaguing our world.”

Combining knowledge, resources and innovation can spur economic growth and recovery, Mr. Ban said in the message delivered on his behalf by Amir Dossal, Director of the UN Office for Partnerships (UNOP).

“You are very well-placed to find the fresh ideas, new partnerships and multilateral solutions our times demand,” Mr. Ban told participants.

Speakers at the conference, organized by UNOP along with the X PRIZE Foundation, BT Global Services and the John Templeton Foundation, will highlight open collaboration and incentivized competition to benefit humanity.