25 September 2009
Video of Douglas Alexander reporting from the UN General Assembly 2009.
This week (beginning 21 September) world leaders met in the United States for a number of high profile international events which have the potential to pave the way towards a fairer, safer and more prosperous future for people all over the world.
Event timetable:
At this week's events, the UK government's overarching goal has been to lead the international community in taking vital steps towards a more equitable world. This week has offered a real opportunity to improve the lives of millions of people around the globe.
But these improvements cannot be made by the UK alone and the challenges that world leaders have addressed this week are not confined to one country or even one continent. They are a series of interconnected issues that demand a co-ordinated and effective international response. The key issues under discussion this week - and what the UK has called for on each of them - are outlined below. Follow the links for related news from the events.
Climate change
Prevent catastrophic climate change by forging consensus ahead of the Copenhagen conference in December and by helping the poorest countries to adapt to environmental changes.
Stronger economies
Help the poorest countries through the turmoil left in the wake of the global economic downturn and enlist the private sector in the fight against poverty through the promotion of the Business Call to Action.
Health
Save the lives of millions of mothers and children in the poorest countries by securing more money for health, raised through innovative financing initiatives. The UK is also supporting initiatives in developing countries to increase access to free health services and build better health systems.
Food
Reduce hunger through a 'New Deal for African Agriculture' that will help African countries to increase agricultural productivity by 6% each year, improving food security and securing longer term growth.
MDGs
Renew the focus on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by galvanising political commitment and momentum ahead of the UN Summit on the MDGs in 2010. On Wednesday 23 September Douglas Alexander participated in a side event hosted by the United Nations Development Programme, addressing the need to accelerate progress on the MDGs.
Gender equality
Empower women through the powerful new UN agency, announced on 15 September, dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls. The UK is committed to doubling its core funding for the UN’s work on women’s equality once the new agency is established.
The September events are one of several milestones on the way to 2010, a year which marks ten years since the Millennium Development Goals were launched and five years before the deadline for meeting them.
In September 2010, the UN will be holding a summit to examine progress made towards achieving the goals and to set out a roadmap for the final stretch to 2015. 2010 is also the year that the G8 aid commitments made at Gleneagles in 2005 expire, and the international community must agree on new aid targets for the future.
The September events provide a platform to act together and make real progress towards a fairer and more prosperous future for all.
Speaking before the events, Secretary of State Douglas Alexander said: "The last 25 years have seen real progress with millions of people lifted out of poverty.
"But challenges such as the global recession, maternal health and climate change mean we cannot stand still. These events provide a vital platform for countries to come together and take action to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals."
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Challenges such as the global recession and climate change mean we cannot stand still. These events provide a vital platform for countries to come together and take action
Douglas Alexander
Secretary of State for International Development