8 November 2013
Partnerships with the private sector are needed to achieve the Millennium Development Goals says UN officials
UN officials say partnerships, such as government collaboration with the private sector and civil society, are necessary for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs were set during the UN Summit 2000 to be achieved by 2015 and included such goals as poverty eradication, education, gender equality, child and maternal health, environmental stability, and HIV/AIDS and malaria reduction.
Considering many of the MDGs have still not been met, partnerships are critical in order to achieve these goals by the deadline. Abdou Salam Diallo, Ambassador of Senegal and Chair of the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly, noted that while poverty, inequalities, environmental threats, and conflict still exist at significant levels, with human potential and resources, which partnerships could provide, these problems can be solved.
President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Néstor Osorio, stated ‘[a]s Governments are given tremendous responsibilities in implementing national policies to achieve the MDGs, support from the private sector has become even more crucial. Indeed, it is clear that both governments and the international community can benefit greatly from the expertise, resources and capacities provided by the private sector.’
Source: UN News Centre | Partnerships vital for addressing sustainable development challenges – UN officials