UN welcomes G-20 summit declaration

UNITED NATIONS: United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the declaration of the G-20 summit in Washington where the world leaders pledged to work jointly to resolve the ongoing financial crisis.

In a statement, he particularly noted the agreement on the international coordination for stimulus packages, a move he had advocated in his remarks at the White House as also new market regulation to avoid future crises, more inclusive new economic governance and the need to avoid trade and investment protectionism.

Ban also appreciated the world leaders' commitment to continued partnership, cooperation, multilateralism, the Millennium Development Goals and the development assistance.

He stressed the need for addressing other critical challenges such as energy security and climate change, food security, the rule of law and the fight against terrorism, poverty and disease.

In his own remarks today at the summit, the Secretary General had emphasised on inclusive multilateralism to ensure all other countries not represented at the Summit participate in shaping future international economic governance.

Stressing the need for international coordination for stimulus packages, he also highlighted the importance of meeting aid commitments to avoid global economic slowdown, adversely affecting global security, stability and the well-being of poor countries and poor people.