Keep spending on aid, Ban tells world leaders

20/09/10 19:34 CET

world news

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A UN summit to review its Millenium Development Goals has opened in New York with a rallying call that its objectives to eradicate poverty, disease and hunger can still be met.

World leaders present include France’s President Nicholas Sakorzy, EU Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso and Iran’s Mahmoud Amadinejad.

US president Barack Obama is also set to attend the three-day meeting.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon told delegates that it was “not impossible” meet the 2015 targets agreed ten years ago but more work needed to be done.

He said that government should not slash aid spending desipte the recent global economic turmoil.

Ban said: “We should not balance budgets on the backs of the poor.”

Among the eight UN Millenium Goals, cutting child mortality rates, promoting gender equality, combating HIV/AIDS and stamping out extreme poverty and hunger.

More about: Ban Ki-moon, United Nations

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