MDG goals hit by world economy decline: UN

UNITED NATIONS: United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned that the decline in world economic growth increases the challenges of the less-developed countries in their hope for progress towards MDGs.

He expressed concern over the increase in food prices which threatens to deepen hunger and malnutrition during the inauguration of a debate at General Assembly on the progress of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

He lauded the vaccination campaigns and the struggle against malaria which has increased the annual survival of three million more kids in comparison to 2000.

Ban said that two million more people are treated against HIV/AIDS and several millions more minors have access to primary education in the MDGs.

Despite that progress, he warned that the contribution was very little of what could be done to achieve the goal. He also cited the example of many countries which are delayed in achieving MDGs by 2015.

In the long term, he added, the progress towards development is seriously threatened by the effects of climatic change and other environmental problems, and nations delayed with poor financial and technological resources will undergo negative impacts.

To reach MDGs requires that we do more regarding genre equality and women rights promotion, Ban said.

To launch an agricultural revolution that speeds economy and fights hunger, and to adopt measures to install complete programs of feeding at schools are among the identified measures to boost economic progress of Africa.