Sustainable development tops UN chief’s priorities for 2010

(Jan.12,2010): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday outlined seven priorities for 2010, beginning with the urgent need for a renewed focus on sustainable development, including advancing efforts to achieve the globally agreed targets aimed at ending poverty, disease and hunger. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – as the targets are known – are among the seven “strategic opportunities” to be realized not over decades but within the next twelve months, Ban told the 192-member General Assembly. “Taken together, they can make the world safer, fairer and more prosperous today and in the future,” he stated. “I ask that we join together to make 2010 a year of sustainable development – to meet the MDGs, address climate change, promote global health and take the necessary steps for lasting and robust economic recovery,” said Ban.
Negotiating a binding agreement on climate change, as well as to deliver on commitments made to date, was among the priorities emphasized by the Secretary-General. It also included an agreement to working towards curbing global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius, efforts to reduce or limit emissions, and pledges to mobilize $100 billion a year for developing countries to combat climate change. Ban also called for empowering women as never before during 2010 and to step up efforts to stop violence against women.
Another priority is working towards a nuclear-free world. “As an Organization, we have to commit to continuously improve the way we are doing business. Changing with changing times and evolving needs has to become a way of life at the United Nations,” he said and added “We can make 2010 a year for action on a number of fronts. We are ready to act, ready to deliver, and ready to make 2010 a year of results for people.”