New York, Sep 24 2010 5:10PM
Cooperation among nations is essential to tackling challenges ranging from development to climate change, top officials of three European nations said today at the General Assembly's annual high-level segment as it entered its second day.
Finnish President Tarja Halonen spotlighted the needs and vulnerabilities of small island developing States (SIDS) in the face of global warming.
"Climate change is hard reality to them," she said in her address to the Assembly. "Mitigating and adapting to its effects is crucial for their survival."
Ms. Halonen asserted her country's commitment to reaching a new, ambitious climate agreement to meet Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's "50-50-50" challenge.
By 2050, he said earlier this month, the world's population will have grown by almost 50 per cent, and global greenhouse gas emissions will have to be slashed by half by that year if climate change is to be kept in check.
"In order to reach our goals, we must mobilize all available resources," the Finnish leader said. "Cooperation to tackle climate change must involve States, NGOs [non-governmental organizations], the private sector and fellow global citizens.
Appointed by the Secretary-General, Ms. Halonen, together with South African President Jacob Zuma, co-chairs the newly-created United Nations High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability.
That 21-member body, which seeks to find a solution to challenge of lifting people out of poverty while promoting sustainable development, had its first meeting earlier this month.
Also underscoring the need for cooperation to find solutions to global problems today was President Pál Schmitt of Hungary.
The recent economic and financial crisis have plunged millions into poverty, while catastrophes such the Haiti earthquake and floods in Pakistan have claimed many lives, he said.
The growing number of disasters underlines the need for prevention, preparedness and risk reduction activities, while efforts to promote sustainable economic growth are also essential.
"Hungary believes that in order to achieve success and effectively meet the needs of vulnerable or disadvantaged groups amidst these turbulent times, a partnership-based approach is to be adopted in this regard," he said.
Countries gathered at UN Headquarters in New York earlier this week to reaffirm their commitment to achieving the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by their target date of 2015.
Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn of Luxembourg told the Assembly today that his country welcomes the renewed pledges to fight poverty.
"The establishment of a true partnership for development is based upon shared responsibilities for both donor and recipient countries," he said.
The official added that developed countries must promote good governance, the rule of law, capacity-building and development ownership, while for their part, wealthier nations must fulfil their aid commitments, especially for Africa.
Sep 24 2010 5:10PM
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