UN commits to support, partner with Asia-Pacific countries in achieving MDGs: official

The United Nations commits to support and partner with Asia-Pacific countries in achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) target, an official said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Sha Zukang, UN undersecretary-general for Economic and Social Affairs, said, in his opening remarks of the Special Ministerial Meeting for Millennium Development Goals Review in Asia and the Pacific: Run Up to 2015, that his department is working with member states and other development partners in many ways.

"We conduct research and analysis, including with UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and other UN partners in Asia. We improve monitoring data collection and national statistical capacity building. Along with other UN entities, we help member states implement national development strategies that empower women and protect vulnerable such as person with disabilities," he said.

He also said that his department supports the needs of least- developed countries, small-island developing states and land- locked countries through intergovernmental processes.

"My department is also leading preparation for the MDGs Summit( in September in New York), including by providing substantive support to member state consultations on the draft outcome document," he said.

He stressed that his department and all UN system organization stand ready to work with renews vigor in coming years so that all target are achieved in all Asian sub-regions.

"Let us amplify the success already seen in Asia. Let us inspire the world with more hard-fought gains in the battles against poverty, gender inequality, disease and environment degradation," he said.

Source: Xinhua