Lanka on track to achieve MDGs
Sri Lanka is on track to achieve many of the Millennium Development
Goals (MDG), said UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Dr. Subinay
Nandy. He was addressing the 67th United Nations Day in Colombo on
Wednesday. He said that Sri Lanka has done well despite the global
crisis but still youth unemployment, gender inequality and empowerment
of women are some of the pressing issues which need urgent attention.
The ageing population and regional disparity are new challenges that
need to be addressed.
“The UN’s vision for Sri Lanka is that it would be a pioneer country
in shaping the post-2015 MDG agenda, much like it was in earlier years
in achieving universal access to health and education.
With many of the basic foundations for human development in place,
Sri Lanka is in a position to be able to demonstrate to its peers how to
achieve inclusive growth, put climate change considerations at the front
and centre of growth strategies and how to empower youth and women to be
the leaders of tomorrow,” Dr. Nandy said.
Chief guest, Senior Minister for International Monetary Cooperation,
Dr. Sarath Amunugama said that Sri Lanka is proud that it has made great
progress in every MDG. The country can be happy with the progress in
maternal health care but there is room for improvement in other MDGs.
He said that the progress made by Sri Lanka in achieving the MDGs,
far outweighs the shortcomings in the country. The UN should write a
book on UN Millennium Development Goals and Sri Lanka.There had not been
a world war during the 67 years of the UN which is a magnificent
achievement. There were two world wars because there was no
communication among countries.
“The United Nations is not a body that should be divorced from member
states, it should collaborate with members to achieve goals,” Dr.
Amunugama said.
-LF
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