20 September 2011
A Somali mother stands inside a tent in Dolo Ado camp, Ethiopia. Women and disaster response are top priorities for the UK. Picture: Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo
World leaders gathered for the United Nations General Assembly in New York this September, bringing together 193 countries around the globe.
The summit was a chance to address the pressing issues that face the world today and to take stock of the progress we are making on key global commitments like the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
On development, the UK made real progress in three areas:
• Making girls and women a priority
As part of our commitment to put girls and women at the heart of our work, the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg unveiled new plans to get an extra million girls into school through the Girls Education Challenge. The UK also announced plans to save the lives of more than 7,000 pregnant women and bring modern family planning to millions more
• Preventing lives being lost in disasters
Britain called for more support to Somalia as rains threaten to bring disease to the country. Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell urged the international community to help countries build up their ability to cope with disasters in the future
• Building on progress towards the MDGs
The UK joined the US to champion success stories of progress being made towards the Millennium Development Goals. At the MDG Countdown event - the first in a yearly series until 2015 - Mr Mitchell and head of USAID Raj Shah, called on partners to draw on these solutions to poverty and build on their innovative approaches.
Following the talks, Andrew Mitchell said:
"We hope that the international development community is inspired by MDG Countdown. With only four years to go until the deadline for meeting the MDGs, the time for warm words is over. We must take action to deliver real results for the world’s poor."
Catch up with all our coverage of the meetings below and don't miss the our MDG Countdown feature showcasing the inspiring progress made around the world.
Latest updates
Blog | UK and US working closer together to reduce poverty
Andrew Mitchell on the shared vision and cooperation of Britain and America in making progress on the Millennium Development Goals
Blog | Powerful stories of lives saved and lives improved
Catch up with success stories from the MDG Countdown event in this guest blog from the head of USAID, Raj Shah
Features | MDG Countdown: success stories and innovation
Showcasing inspiring stories of success in the fight against poverty in developing countries across the world
News | Plan to save lives of thousands of pregnant women
UK aid will help to save the lives of more than 7,000 pregnant women as part of a drive to cut maternal deaths
News | Push to help poor countries prepare for disasters
Britain today called on international partners to help poor countries be better prepared when disasters hit
News | UK urges more support for Somalia at UN talks
With disease threatening thousands of families across the country, Andrew Mitchell calls on international partners to step up support
Blog | Filling empty bellies is no longer enough
As the international community gathers, Josette Sheeran - head of the World Food Programme - calls on leaders to take action to prevent hunger in the future