14 December 2006
UN DEBATE ON MDGS STRESSES PARTNERSHIPS FOR PROGRESS
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A thematic debate “Partnerships towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals: Taking stock, moving forward” was organized on 27 November 2006 by the General Assembly President Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa.

The aim of the debate was to give momentum to the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by reviewing practical measures and strategies that […]

A thematic debate “Partnerships towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals: Taking stock, moving forward” was organized on 27 November 2006 by the General Assembly President Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa.

The aim of the debate was to give momentum to the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by reviewing practical measures and strategies that will lead to tangible results. The debate brought together donor and recipient countries, as well as civil society, NGOs and the private sector. Sheikha Haya emphasized that partnerships were crucial to achieve the MDGs, with the UN Development Programme’s Administrator Kemal Dervis stressing that no region is currently on track to meet all the MDGs by 2015, and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan noting that the prospects for attaining the goals were “mixed, at best.” The key points made during the debate included: the need for partnerships to engage governments, the public sector and civil society; scaling up interventions on the ground; and the importance of both donors and recipients to fulfil their respective commitments. Several speakers praised the experience of Millennium Villages and the Islamic Development Bank announced the establishment of a US$10 billion Poverty Alleviation Fund to target the MDGs. According to IISD sources, many participants expressed satisfaction with the debate’s broad participation and resulting concrete undertakings. Qatar will host a follow-up event to the thematic debate during the first half of 2007.
Links to further information
UN News Release, 27 November 2006
UN General Assembly summary report


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