6 October 2008: In her remarks to the Second Committee of
the General Assembly, taking place in New York, US, UN Deputy Secretary-General
Asha-Rose Migiro underlined that Africa is the region that faces the greatest
challenges, in particular in the context of climate change and the food and oil
crises.

Noting the lack of sufficient funding to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals, she underscored the costs of delaying action, in particular
in mitigating and adapting to climate change. Migiro stressed the need for
high-level political engagement, and indicated the Secretary-General’s
commitment to strengthening the UN’s development pillar. [The Statement]