What was achieved at UN anti-poverty summit?
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World leaders Wednesday are wrapping up a three-day summit by sending out to the world a clear but simple message: anti-poverty goals are achievable, but only with redoubled efforts.
A 28-page draft outcome document that is set to be adopted by the leaders spells out actions to spur implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the next five years.
The MDGs are a set of eight anti-poverty goals that world leaders have agreed to achieve, including halving extreme poverty, improving child and maternal health, achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality and halting the spread of HIV/ AIDS.
WIDE CONSENSUS
The document, entitled "Keeping the promise: united to achieve the Millennium Development Goals," acknowledged that despite many setbacks, the world is making headway in implementing the MDGs, in particular possibly realizing goal one -- cutting extreme poverty by half, on time.
The leaders welcomes the progress, but also expresses deep concern that it "falls far short of what is needed."
"We are deeply concerned ... that the number of people living in extreme poverty and hunger surpasses one billion and that inequalities between and within countries remains a significant challenge," they say. "We are also deeply concerned about the alarming global levels of maternal and child mortality."
Despite the difficulties, the heads of state and government state that they are committed "to making every effort to achieve the MDGs by 2015."
"We are convinced that the Millennium Development Goals can be achieved, including in the poorest countries, with renewed commitment, effective implementation, and intensified collective action by all member states and other relevant stakeholders at both domestic and international levels."
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