Nations That Can, Should Do More to Achieve Development Goals
22 September 2005
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| Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Florence Mugasha |
In a speech delivered on his behalf by Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Florence Mugasha, the Secretary-General stated: "Those with the means must be more committed and more generous to those in the statistical spotlight."
He applauded the initiatives of G8 states who had pledged increased aid and debt cancellation for low-income countries during their summit meeting in Gleneagles, Scotland, in July this year.
"That is the sort of concrete action required. It was of a level of ambition and scale that needs to be repeated again and again until the MDGs are securely and sustainably achieved. We need to go beyond the target of halving income poverty and reach the Goal -- the total eradication of extreme poverty and hunger -- and to ensure that the funds made available are spent with wisdom, responsibility, accountability and effectiveness."
Mr McKinnon said the Commonwealth not only has an interest in achieving the MDGs, but also a responsibility to do so. He noted with concern that only 11 of the Commonwealth's 53 member countries have recorded significant progress on the MDGs, with 31 countries making slow progress, while some are going backwards. The Secretary-General stressed that the Commonwealth will have to redouble its efforts to achieve the MDGs.
"We will help to build or rebuild those democratic institutions which we know go hand-in-hand with stable and prosperous societies. We will continue to champion the principles and values our membership holds dear, including fundamental human rights. We will also continue to stand up for small states which too often find themselves at the margins of global debate and on the receiving rather than participating end of decisions. We will continue to work relentlessly to see countries get a better deal in international trade, so that people everywhere can invest with confidence, produce with enthusiasm, and sell freely in a fair market."
Mr McKinnon stated he was encouraged by US President George W Bush's statement at the UN General Assembly on plans to accelerate progress towards eliminating tariffs and subsidies that distort free trade. He looked forward to a positive result at the World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong in December 2005.
The Secretary-General emphasised that the Commonwealth will strengthen its focus on gender issues and their impact on the execution of public policy which contributes to the promotion of fair and sustainable development. He said efforts will be made to work more closely with civil society and governments to attain the Goals. Mr McKinnon pointed out that multilateralism is the only way in which common problems can be resolved in a substantive way to secure a future for all. He backed the UN's plan to strengthen its work in peace-building, human rights, anti-terrorism, and the special attention being paid to development and democracy.
"The UN has been and will remain a vital partner for the Commonwealth in furthering our objectives in democratisation, peace, human rights and development," said the Secretary-General.
CNIS - Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 253, 21 September 2005
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