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New Global Development Model Needed to Tackle Poverty Reduction

New global development model is needed to tackle poverty reduction, job creation, inequality, climate change and environmental degradation as highlighted by Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro today.

"We have to ask; will the 9 billion people who are expected to inhabit this planet in 2050 have the opportunity to thrive. Or will vast numbers merely struggle to survive, or worse, see their world descend into chaos? This is the fundamental question of sustainable development"- Ms. Migiro

Ms. Migiro delivered her remarks today to the General Assembly's interactive dialogue with the High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability.

The 21-member High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability was created by Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in August last year and tasked with finding ways to lift people out of poverty while tackling climate change and ensuring that economic development is environmentally friendly.

The Panel is co-chaired by Finland's President Tarja Halonen and South African President Jacob Zuma and brings together representatives from government, the private sector and civil society in countries rich and poor.

Ms. Migiro said the current global economic recession, instability and natural disasters should not be used as excuses to delay the transition towards sustainable development.

The Deputy Secretary-General stressed that sustainable development had three pillars - economic, social, and environmental, and that it was not a topic for environment ministers only. All government departments should be involved, she said.

According to Ms. Migiro that to attain global sustainable development, it requires a holistic approach to address the multiple, intertwined and complex challenges of our time.

The President of the General Assembly, Joseph Deiss, called for firm political commitment and resolute action to tackle the interlinked challenges of climate change and poverty eradication, while ensuring adequate financing, technology transfer and partnership.

The High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability is expected to deliver its final report by the end of this year, ahead of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development scheduled for 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Source: United Nations