THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
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MESSAGE FOR THE GLOBAL POVERTY REDUCTION
AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM

Beijing, 17 October 2009

I am pleased to send greetings to all those gathered for the Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum.  I commend your initiative in coming together to share knowledge and strengthen dialogue on defeating poverty in the face of the worst global economic crisis in generations. 

At a time of multiple global crises, the poorest and most vulnerable have a special claim on our attention.  We know that, in any recession, those hurt first—and worst—are the poor.  According to recent estimates, the global economic crisis has claimed at least 50 million jobs this year.  As many as 100 million more people are expected to fall below the poverty line in 2009.  Climate change further compounds the problem.

I have been impressed by China’s ability to weather the crisis.  Of course, no region has been immune from its effects.  Yet China has put its stimulus plan to work at a remarkable speed.  We are also close partners in efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals.  I applaud China’s achievement in lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty.  China’s vision of a ‘Xiaokang’ society is very much in harmony with the MDGs, and will help you address the serious disparities that exist between rich and poor, rural and urban, the coast and the interior.

The theme of this year’s observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty,, “Children and Families Speak Out Against Poverty”, coincides with the twentieth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  Investing in children and securing their rights is one of the surest ways to ending poverty.  Despite our world of plenty, the basic needs of children around the world are still being sidelined. Millions of children continue to be deprived of an education, with many more at risk of dropping out of school.  This is particularly true for girl children.

The United Nations system is responding on a number of fronts -- promoting food security, building a greener economy, ensuring stronger safety nets and putting forward a Global Jobs Pact.  We are also developing a Global Impact and Vulnerability Alert System—GIVAS—to create a networked capacity for real-time data collection and analysis.  Policies must be driven by a solid picture of developments on the ground. 

We are at a critical juncture in the fight against poverty.  Now is the time to amplify the voices of the vulnerable and ensure that the world follows up on its pledges.  With the right investments and concrete action, we can ensure that every man, woman and child has the opportunity to make the most of their potential.  We will need China’s active participation and leadership in this effort.  I thank you for coming together for this important meeting and look forward to our ongoing work together.