1 st UN MDGs Forum at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, November 11, Summary Report

Transcription

1 1 st UN MDGs Forum at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, November 11, 2010 Summary Report

2 Background of Millennium Development Goals The Millennium Summit held in September 2000 at United Nations Headquarters in New York was the largest gathering of world leaders in human history. 189 Member States of the United Nations met to reflect on how humanity should move forward in the new millennium. At the Summit, then United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan presented a report entitled We the Peoples: The Role of the United Nations in the Twenty-First Century. The report was prepared with the Millennium Forum, which was comprised of representatives of over 1,000 non-governmental and civil society organizations from more than 100 countries. On September 8 th, 2000, the General Assembly adopted the Millennium Declaration which included a blueprint to eliminate poverty by 2015 the Millennium Development Goals. Progress on Millennium Development Goals Progress towards reaching the goals has been uneven. Countries that have been achieving their goals include China, which has reduced its number of poverty stricken population from 452 million to 278 million. Yet, several countries in need of the most reduction of poverty, specifically those in Sub-Saharan Africa, have fallen short in improving quality of life. The UN believes that donors should commit to reaching the long-standing target of 0.7 percent of GNI by On October 13 th, 2006, then Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea, Ban Ki-moon, was elected to be the 8th Secretary-General of the UN by the General Assembly. Since taken over this post on January 1 st, 2007, Secretary-General Ban has made the achievement of Millennium Development Goals a key focus. However, 2008 s global economic crisis and aftermath dealt a blow to gains made to achieve the Goals at the midway point.

3 MDG Advocacy Group In a move to galvanize support for the MDGs, Secretary-General Ban established the MDG Advocacy Group in June The Group is a team of eminent personalities whose strong leadership qualities and actions promote the implementation of the MDGs. The Advocates have been tapped on the shoulder by the Secretary General to, in his words, generate political will and mobilize a global grassroots movement to meet the MDGs. The MDG Advocacy Group is led by two Co-Chairs, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero of Spain. In addition, world known philanthropists such as Bill Gates, Ted Turner, Muhammad Yunus and Jeffrey Sachs also serve. The MDG Advocacy Group first met in Madrid, July 2010 (top) and then again at the UN MDG Summit held at UN headquarters in New York, September 2010 (bottom).

4 MDG Advocacy Group Co-Chairs Paul Kagame President of Rwanda Members Muhammad Yunus (Bangladesh) Nobel Peace Prize Winner, founder of the Grameen Ban, Focus on MDG 8 Michelle Bachelet (Chile) Former President, Focus on MDG 3 Wang Yingfan (China) Vice-Chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee, Chinese National People's Congress ( ), Focus on MDG 1 Stine Bosse (Denmark) CEO of TrygVesta Group, Chairman of Børnefonden (The Childrens Fund), Focus on MDG 3 Philippe Douste-Blazy (France) UN Special Advisor on innovative financing for development, Focus on MDGs 4, 5, 6 and 8 Mukesh D. Ambani (India) Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries, Focus on MDG 8 José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero Prime Minister of Spain Julio Frenk (Mexico) Dean of the Harvard School of Public Health, former Minister of Health, Focus on MDGs 4, 5, 6 and 8 Akin Adesina (Nigeria) Vice President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) Focus on MDG 1 HHS Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser (Qatar) First Lady, Chairperson of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, Focus on MDG 2 Graça Machel (South Africa / Mozambique) Former First Lady, advocate for women s and children s rights, Focus on MDG 3 Jan Eliasson (Sweden) Chair of WaterAid Sweden, Former President of the UN General Assembly, Focus on MDGs 7 and 8 Bob Geldof (United Kingdom) Singer, songwriter, political activist, Focus on all MDGs Hiromasa Yonekura (Japan) Chairman of Sumitomo Chemical and of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), Focus on MDG 6 Wangari Maathai (Kenya) Nobel Peace Prize Winner, environmental and political activist,focus on MDG 7 Dho Young-Shim (Republic of Korea) Chairperson of the UN World Tourism Organization s Sustainable Tourism for Eliminating Poverty (ST-EP) Foundation, Focus on MDG 2 Ray Chambers (United States) The UN Secretary-General s Special Envoy for Malaria, Focus on MDGs 4, 5, 6 Bill Gates (United States) Philanthropist, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Chairman of Microsoft, Focus on MDGs 1, 4, 5, 6 Prof. Jeffrey Sachs (United States) UN Secretary-General s Special Adviser on the MDGs, Focus on all MDGs Ted Turner (United States) Philanthropist, Chairman, UN Foundation, Focus on all MDGs

5 2010 MDG Summit, UN Headquarters At the 2010 MDG Summit, progress was reviewed. The conference concluded with the adoption of a global action plan to achieve the Goals by the 2015 target date. Specifically, new commitments on women's and children's health, and major new initiatives in the worldwide battle against poverty, hunger and disease were made. "Eradicating extreme poverty continues to be one of the main challenges of our time, and is a major concern of the international community. Ending this scourge will require the combined efforts of all, governments, civil society organizations and the private sector, in the context of a stronger and more effective global partnership for development. The Millennium Development Goals set time bound targets, by which progress in reducing income poverty, hunger, disease, lack of adequate shelter and exclusion while promoting gender equality, health, education and environmental sustainability can be measured. They also embody basic human rights the rights of each person on the planet to health, education, shelter and security. The Goals are ambitious but feasible and, together with the comprehensive United Nations development agenda, set the course for the world s efforts to alleviate extreme poverty by " United Nations Secretary-General BAN Ki-moon 2010 MDG Summit Opening

6 Background of UN MDGs Forum at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea On June 29, 2010, the UN Millennium Development Goals Forum of the Republic of Korea held its first meeting. MDG Advocate Ambassador Dho Young-shim, who serves as Chairperson of the Board of Directors, UNWTO ST-EP Foundation, appealed to the Hon. Lee Ju-young, Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, for a bi-partisan Forum to be established to enable the political will of the National Assembly to make efforts to achieve the MDGs. Members of the Forum elected National Assembly Members the Hon. Lee Ju-young, Hon. Lee Sang-min, and Hon. Lee Nak-yeon, whom each represent a different political party, as Co-chairs. Ambassador Dho was elected as Advisor to the Forum. To date, over 120 Members of the Assembly have joined the Forum. 1 st meeting of the UN MDGs Forum of the Republic of Korea, June 29, 2010 The formation of the MDGs Forum was indeed timely. While preparing to host the G20 Seoul Summit in November, Korea was promoting itself in the international arena as a bridge between developing and developed countries. Given Korea s quick 50 year rise from $82 GDP per capita income to $20,000 GDP per capita income and its inclusion in the OECD s Development Assistance Committee in 2009, the philosophy behind forming the MDGs Forum at the National Assembly was in line with the Government s long-term vision for the nation in the 21 st Century.

7 1 st Preparatory Meeting for the UN MDGs Forum at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea On October 17, 2010, the 1 st preparatory meeting for the MDGs Forum at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea was held in Seoul. Attending the meeting were the Hon. Kim Chung, Member of National Assembly, Hon. Kang Myung-soon, Member of National Assembly, Hon. Lee Ju-young, Member of National Assembly & Co-Chair of MDGs Forum, Amb. Dho Young-shim, Chairperson of Board of Directors, UNWTO ST-EP Foundation & MDG Advocate, Hon. Na Kyung-won, Member of National Assembly, Hon. Choi Young-hee, Member of National Assembly, Mr. Shin Gak-su, 1st Vice Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Amb. Kim Won-soo, Deputy Chief de Cabinet & Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General, and Mr. Lee Sang-hwa, Director, UN Secretary-General s Office (photo below). Banners UN MDGs Forum of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Date: November 11, 2010, at 14:00~15:00 Place: National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Guest Speakers: H.E. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General, United Nations, H.E. Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero,, Prime Minister, Spain & Co-Chair Chair of UN MDG Advocacy Group, H.E. Jacob Zuma,, President, South Africa, H.E. Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister, Vietnam Opening Statement Hon. Park Hee-tae, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, Closing Statement the Hon. Lee Ju-young, Co-Chair Chair of MDGs Forum of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Special Performance: Winneba Youth Choir (from Ghana) Moderator: Ambassador Dho Young-shim, UN MDG Advocacy Group Member Hosts Members of the UN MDGs Forum of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea (bi-partisan) Co-chairs: Lee Ju-Young (Grand National), Lee Nak-yon (Democratic), Lee Sang-min (Liberty) Members: Lee Yong Hee, Ahn Sang Soo, Hwang Woo-Yea, Park Byeong Seug, Suh Byung Soo, Song Kwang-ho, An Kyung Ryul, Won Yoo Chul, Won Hee-Ryong, Lew Seon Ho, Lee Byung Suk, Jang Kwang-keun, Choung Byoung-gug, Chung Jin-suk, Cho Bae Sook, Kang hil Boo, Kwon Kyung Seok, Kim Gi Hyeon, Kim Dong-Cheol, Kim Jae-kyung, Kim Jae-yun, Kim Tae Whan, Na Kyung Won, Moon Hak Jin, Park Young-Sun, Shin Sang-Jin, Shin Hak Yong, An Min Suk, Ahn Hong Joon, Yang Seoung Jo, Woo Yoon keun, Lee Jong-koo, Chang Yoon Seok, Chun Yu-Ok, Jong Bum Goo, Chung Hee Soo, Choi Gu Sik, Choi Kyu Sung, Hwang Jin Ha, Kang Myung Soon, Gu Sang Chan, Kwon Teag Ky, Kim Gwang Lim, Kim Dong Sung, Kim Song-Sik, Kim Se Yeon, Kim So Nam, Kim Yung Rok, Kim Young Woo, Kim Yong Gu, Kim Yongtae, Kim Chang Su, Kim Tae Won, Kim Hack Yong, Na Seong Lin, Roh Chul Rae, Park Min shik, Park Bo Hwan, Park Sun-Young, Bae Young-shik, Park Youngah, Eun Soo Park, Park Jun-Seon, Bae Eun Hee, Seo Jong Pyo, Son Beom Gyu, Son Sook Mee, Shin Sung bum, Shin Young-soo, Ahn Hyo Dae, Yeo Sang Kyoo, Won Hee Mok, Yoo Ilho, You Jung Hyun, Yoon young, Lee Doo Ah, Lee Myoung Soo, Lee Ae Joo, Lee Yoon Seok, Lee Eun Jae, Lee Jung Hyun, Lee Choon Suak, Lee Hansung, Jang Se Hwan, Cheong Yang Seog, Chung Ok Nim, Jeong Ha Gyun, Choung Hae Gul, Cho Moon Hwan, Cho Yoon Sun, Cho Jin Lae, Cho Jeon-Hyeok, Cho Haejin, Joo Kwang Deok, Jin Seong Ho, Choi Young- Hee, Hyun Gyoung Byoung, Hong Il Pyo, Hong Jungwook, Hwang Young Cheul, Kim Chung (104 National Assembly Members) UNWTO ST-EP Foundation Amb. Dho Young-shim, UN MDG Advocacy Group Member Earth Institute at Columbia University Dr. Jeffrey D. Sachs, UN MDG Advocacy Group Member Invitation

8 UN MDGs Advocacy Group Luncheon with Heads of State On November 11th, 2010, on the first day of the G20 Seoul Summit, a MDGs Advocacy Group Luncheon with Heads of State was hosted by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and organized by UNWTO ST- EP Foundation. The meeting focused on development efforts to eliminate poverty through the Millennium Development Goals. Esteemed guests included South African President H.E. Jacob Zuma and Vietnamese Prime Minister H.E. Nguyen Tan Dung. Also participating were Mr. Juan Somavia, Director General, ILO, H.E. Jean Ping, Chairperson, Africa Union Commission, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General, ASEAN, Dr. Donald Kaberuka, President, Africa Development Bank, Ambassador Kim Won-soo, Deputy Chief de Cabinet, Office of the Secretary General, United Nations, Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, MDG Advocate, Dr. Robert Orr, Assistant Secretary General for Policy, United Nations, Mr. Thomas Stelzer, Assistant Secretary General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs and Ambassador Dho Young-shim, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, UNWTO ST-EP Foundation and MDG Advocate. Remarks were delivered by H.E. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary- General, United Nations, MDG Advocates Amb. Dho Youngshim and Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, and South African President H.E. Jacob Zuma and Vietnamese Prime Minister H.E. Nguyen Tan Dung. Each emphasized the importance of achieving the MDGs and significance of the inclusion of development on the G20 Seoul Summit agenda.

9 1st UN MDGs Forum at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, November 11, 2010 (left) National Assembly Members the Hon. Lee Sang-min & the Hon. Lee Ju-young, H.E. Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister, Vietnam, Mrs. Ban and UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon, the Hon. Park Hee-tae, Speaker of the National Assembly, H.E. Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Prime Minister, Spain, and H.E. Jacob Zuma, President, South Africa Amb. Dho Young-shim, MDG Advocate and Advisor to MDGs Forum, Hon. Park Hee-tae, Speaker of the National Assembly Ambassador Dho led the proceedings as moderator. The Hon. Park Hee-tae, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea gave an opening statement. He said, The worst enemy of mankind is poverty and disease. UN MDGs Forum will put all the necessary efforts into accomplishing the MDGs. Although the world economy is in a poor condition, promises must be kept. Speeches were delivered by H.E. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General, United Nations, H.E. Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Prime Minister, Spain and Co-Chair of UN MDG Advocacy Group, H.E. Jacob Zuma, President, South Africa and H.E. Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister, Vietnam. Approximately 110 National Assembly Members, as well as 21 Ambassadors to the Republic of Korea and over 300 professionals, representatives of civil society and NGOs and students attended.

10 Secretary General Ban congratulated Korea on its new role as a donor nation. He stated that, this is exactly the leadership we (UN) want from the Republic of Korea Korea is now fulfilling its role as a bridge builder, a vital link between developed and developing countries. He then acknowledged MDG Advocate and UNWTO ST-EP Foundation s Chairperson of the Board of Directors by saying, I again appreciate Ambassador Dho for your very generous support. For this, Thank You 'Small Library.' And I know that she has established at least 80 'Small Libraries' which have been very much appreciated by many young people. But, the Secretary-General lamented that, promises made must be promises kept, referring to donor nations that have not lived up to their ODA pledges. He went on to encourage Korea to keep moving in the direction it is going and that, the world expects higher and even more support from Korea. Spanish Prime Minister H.E. Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero spoke about the importance of the G20 Seoul Summit including development on its agenda. He explained, We are left with 5 years to accomplish MDGs. MDGs are noble and ambitious goals that we have to accomplish together. South African President Jacob Zuma commented on the importance of such events as the MDGs Forum. He said these types of forums remind us that the UN is the foremost and primary multilateral forum for the discussion of challenges facing the world.

11 Vietnamese Prime Minister H.E. Nguyen Tan Dung expressed gratitude to the UN by saying that since the MDGs have been put into action practical improvements have been made Vietnam is ready to join the global community to contribute to the effort the UN is making. Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, MDG Advocate, Special Advisor to the United Nations Secretary-General on the MDGs, and author of The End of Poverty participated in a question and answer session. While responding to the Hon. Na Kyung-won (left) and Hon. Lee Nakyeon (right)on how the National Assembly could best help achieve the MDGs, Dr. Sachssaid that, Korea has created an idea. People have watched in our lifetime as poverty was completely eliminated through hard work, investments in physical infrastructure and in people through education follow through on the commitment to increase development assistance. He closed his answer by stating that, The real benefits of giving are for the giver. It s good for Korea s heart, its values and its long term happiness. The Forum was then ended by the Hon. Lee Ju-young, joined on stage by Co- Chairs of the MDGs Forum of the National Assembly Hon. Lee Nak-yeon and Hon. Lee Sang-min. Assembly Member Lee reminded us that, a child dies of a poverty related disease every six seconds. If we believe from the bottom of our hearts that their lives are as valuable as ours, we should never let innocent lives die everyday.

12 MDGs Song performed by Winneba Youth Choir from Ghana 21 Years as Africa s Premier Choir MDG Song (Gloria) She s a girl who has no water, a girl that can barley read, a girl who asks for nothing, cause she knows she won t receive A girl who walks alone, is a girl that will walk for miles, a girl that feeds her mother, watches as she dies Gloria. Don t cry Did you hear the sound this morning? It s the MDGs a calling, I promise when we get there, you won t have to fear, You re a child that stands for hope, a child that will receive, a child and one of millions that will fulfill destiny Gloria Don t cry I ve listened to politicians, I ve written all the priests, I ve even seen the bankers and met with companies, I ve shouted at you, I ve been on T.V., it s time for us to stand up, fulfill the MDGs All rights reserved UNWTO ST-EP Foundation