Disaster risk reduction essential to UN development goals
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Measures needed to reduce disaster risk are crucial to the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Deputy UN Secretary- General Asha-Rose Migiro said Thursday calling on greater momentum to focus on the needs of the poorest countries.
"Multiple crises, natural disasters, as well as the challenges posed by climate change have pushed many nations into emergency situations that are not of their making," Migiro said in remarks to a special high-level meeting of the Economic and Social Council on the financing of the internationally agreed development goals, including the MDGs.
"We have come together today to mobilize action and resources with the Financing for Development process to achieve the Millennium Development Goals," Migiro said.
Migiro underscored the importance of generating momentum amongst the international community through the UN's special MDG summit in September, as well as with the high-level dialogue of the UN General Assembly on financing for development next week.
"Above all, we must focus on the needs of the poorest countries, " Migiro said. "These countries need immediate coordinated comprehensive support that helps them follow a sustainable path of recovery, rehabilitation and long-term development."
Particularly with the "painful reminder" of Haiti, Migiro urged for measures in reducing disaster risk, which she said are essential towards the achievement of MDGs.
Migiro also addressed the world financial and economic crisis, which she said hit the developing countries the hardest.
"These developments underscore the importance of international trade in financing development, and the urgency to complete the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations in 2010," she said.
She called on more efforts in developing an "equitable and orderly international debt workout mechanism to prevent future crises."
"These efforts should be well-financed and internationally coordinated, and should help the world move towards a more equitable, stable and development-oriented international financial system," Migiro said.
The high-level meeting of the Economic and Social Council with the Bretton Woods institutions, a management consulting firm, as well as with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the UN Conference on Trade and Development, included statements by representatives of major institutional stakeholders.
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