Financial constraints impact negatively on MDGs President Mugabe

In his address to the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly here yesterday, the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces said although notable progress was made in some areas, there was still a lot of work that needed to be done.

“Mr President, 13 years ago, our global efforts were mobilised behind Millennium Development Goals and we now have less than 1 000 days to meet those targets,” he said.

“Our review and stock taking exercise reveal that while there have been some significant achievements, there are still gaps and unevenness in the attainment of these goals. In the case of Zimbabwe, we have made progress towards achieving universal access to primary education, combating HIV/Aids, malaria and TB.

“Some of these goals, however, are, due to lack of capacity, mainly, financial, off track in some areas, progress has stalled including in those areas relating to the eradication of poverty and hunger, child mortality, universal access to maternal and reproductive health, environmental sustainability and accessible to potable water sanitation.”

President Mugabe said Zimbabwe was committed to undertaking efforts that could speed up progress to complete the unfinished business of the MDGs in the remaining period to 2015.

He said Zimbabwe supported the emerging unanimity that eradicating poverty should be the world’s predominant goal on the post 2015 agenda.

“Eradicating poverty by 2030 may be an ambitious goal, but it is attainable if we mobilise our collective efforts,” said President Mugabe.

“Building on the foundation of the MDGs, the post 2015 agenda should go beyond the social development agenda of the MDGs and achieve structural transformation in our economies that delivers inclusive sustainable growth. We expect a shift that will bring about industrialisation, decent jobs and qualitative change to the lives of our citizens.”

Zimbabwe, President Mugabe said, was dedicated to ensuring modern infrastructure development and access to sustainable energy for all and food security.

He said the country supported calls on gender equality and other related MDGs.

President Mugabe said international support was vital for developing countries if the MDGs were to be achieved. “Mr President (of the UN General Assembly), the lofty objectives of the UN Charter in the economic arena will remain unfulfilled unless all Member States join in efforts genuinely and seriously, to address challenges that developing countries face in their pursuit of development, including the MDGs,” he said.

“It is, therefore, imperative that our discussions address what has so far been the weakest link — the means of implementation.”

The 68th session of the UNGA is being held under the theme: “The post 2015 — Setting the agenda.”

President Mugabe said the theme was more apt as it gave fresh impetus to the undertaking and achievement of internationally agreed goals, including the MDGs and mapping the way forward beyond 2015.

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