By Nthambeleni Gabara
New York – The United Nations General Assembly was honoured for driving global development during the annual South Awards last night, in New York.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, whose message was delivered by Cristina Gallach, Under-Secretary-General for Public Information, said the organisation continues to fulfil its mission for peace, development and human rights around the globe.
She said member states have made great progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and advancing the global development agenda.
“Developing countries, despite ongoing challenges, have become critical actors in the global landscape. A majority have become middle-income. Some have attained impressive economic growth, high savings and investment rates, and a larger share of trade in goods and services.
“The global South is also home to many high-quality enterprises, technological competency and innovation, and leading finance and banking institutions,” she said.
The South-South Awards honours countries, bodies and organisations that take significant efforts toward global sustainable development. Efforts made in the area of poverty reduction, humanitarian work and educational development are particularly recognized at the event.
She said the New Development Bank, as well as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, holds considerable promise to complement existing sources of finance for development.
“Today, we all recognise the great potential of South-South cooperation to improve the well-being of the vast majority of the world’s people.
“I encourage Southern partners to continue sharing their experiences with the global community through the United Nations General Assembly, Economic and Social Council and the United Nations development system.
“Let us work together to realise the transformational potential of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which embodies the yearnings of people everywhere for lives of dignity on a healthy planet,” she said on behalf of Ban.
The President of the UN General Assembly 70 session, Mogens Lykketoft, received the award which recognises the Assembly’s contribution to the realisation of the MDGs and its achievement in reaching a landmark agreement to transform the world.
He said developing countries, big and small, together with their partners, have made fantastic progress in implementing the MDGs.
“As we begin the next chapter, let us be proud of those successes and share the lessons of what has worked well and what has not.
“The challenge now, and a major priority for my Presidency, is to move swiftly to deliver on our promises. If we are to do so, we must mobilise resources, technology, capacities and knowledge on an unprecedented scale.
“We must engage and work with all actors, and increase cooperation between all countries including through South-South Cooperation.
“The new Agenda’s first test is quickly approaching. I urge all of you to do your very utmost to deliver an ambitious and universal climate agreement in Paris in December,” he said. - SAnews.gov.za
