Brazil plays an important leadership role in matters of global security and economic development, the director of the United Nations’ (UN) Millenium Project, Jeffrey Sachs, affirmed Thursday, April 28, in BrasÀlia, Brazil’s capital.
“Brazil’s voice counts for a lot, especially since it is a candidate for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council,” he said.
The UN will undergo a process of reform, for the first time, in September.
“It will probably be the biggest encounter of world leaders in history. The purpose will be to review what has been done with respect to the Declaration of the Millenium and ways to implement what hasn’t been done yet,” Sachs informed.
The Declaration of the Millenium, which was approved in September, 2000, by 191 countries, established eight global development goals to be achieved by 2015.
The goals include erradicating poverty, raising levels of schooling, and reducing child mortality. Sachs recalled that 2005 is an important year for the fulfillment of the goals.
“It is the fifth year since the announcement of the Declaration of the Millenium. There are ten years left until the deadline. A special effort is being made around the world to speed up progress towards these goals,” Sachs remarked.
In his view, the rich countries must help the poor countries more and more. He recalled that eight million people around the world die each year as a result of poverty.
“Because they don’t have enough money for basic health care, potable water, or adequate nutrition. And the rich countries are simply turning their backs,” Sachs lamented.
Agência Brasil