Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,
As you know, the executive heads of the United Nations system, funds and programmes, specialized agencies, had a very good meeting on various issues, particularly on the financial crisis issues.
We agreed that we face the prospect of on-going turmoil in the world's financial markets, coupled with a serious threat of global recession.
Today's crisis will affect all countries. But those who will experience the greatest hardships are likely to be those least responsible – the poor in developing countries.
The United States and Europe have so far experienced the brunt of the crisis.
We fear the next shoe to drop will be emerging economies.
Hard-won economic gains are in jeopardy.
Volatile movements in commodity prices, energy and food, in particular, have lowered standards of living of life and nutrition.
The financial crisis threatens the foundations of globalization, which in turn underpins global growth.
We see new protectionist pressures.
Credit markets are tightening, further impairing trade and growth.
Many developing nations lack the resources to rescue financial institutions in emergencies, as wealthier nations have done.
At today's session, we discussed ways in which the United Nations can respond.
All agreed that the UN has a special responsibility, the protection of the poorest and most vulnerable.
We agreed that the UN must act in a coordinated manner.
We express our full commitment to the cause of economic development and will do our utmost to deal with the repercussions of this worldwide crisis.
We have made encouraging progress in eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, in improving global health and combating the scourge of disease. As we look to the next 7 years of our work on the Millennium Development Goals, we must ensure that our gains are not reversed.
We cannot allow the financial crisis to force millions of people back into extreme poverty.
We cannot allow the financial crisis to weaken our resolve on climate change. It remains the defining challenge of our era.
The upcoming summit in Poznan must lead to a successful climate change agreement in Copenhagen. We must do all we can to ensure that the momentum we have generated does not flag.
We must not compromise our efforts on mitigation, adaptation and technology transfer.
At this time of crisis, the UN must be doubly vigilant with respect to international norms concerning economic, social, environmental and human rights.
We call for a new global solidarity, so that we all, together, can weather a gathering storm.
We call on all States to reaffirm, and even strengthen, their commitments on development assistance. Amid the current crisis, official development assistance, ODA [Official Development Assistance], has become even more important to poor developing countries faced with financial constraints, declining liquidity and seriously worsening Balance of Payments positions.
We express our gratitude to those world leaders who have pledged not to reduce their ODA and call on leaders of all developed countries to meet their pledged commitments.
We urge all Member States to engage with renewed vigour in preparing for the Doha Conference on Financing for Development in other to ensure a successful result in building up a common framework to assure our common future. A healthy, open and rule-based trading system is essential to maintaining long-term economic growth to the benefit of all.
We must resist protectionism and promote openness and inclusiveness.
We call on all States to reengage in efforts to conclude the Doha Trade Negotiations.
We welcome the initiative to convene a G-20 summit level meeting on November 15 in Washington.
We reaffirm our support for meaningful, comprehensive and well-coordinated reform of the world's international institutions.
To prevent today's crisis from becoming tomorrow's disaster, the CEB pledges to show proactive leadership. We will work toward well-coordinated and comprehensive policies on trade, development, finance, humanitarian assistance, the environment and the protection of global goods and norms.
Thank you.
Q: Secretary-General, you have said that leaders had agreed on ways that the UN can respond to the global economic crisis, can you give us some specifics on what they agreed on that you could do to respond [to the global financial crisis]?
SG: First of all United Nations System will closely coordinate with the international community in addressing this issue. The United Nations family including the Bretton Woods Institutions will work as one. Our concern and priority will be focused on how to promote the well-being and how to address the challenges faced by the poorest of the poor in the context of the global financial crisis. We have agreed that the ODA [Official Development Assistance] and Millennium Development Goals should not be affected and neither should our common efforts to fight climate change. Therefore, the capacity and resources to address major United Nations goals should be strengthened and protected.
This is a global challenge requiring a global response through global partnerships. This is exactly what the CEB [Chief Executives Board] members have agreed on and we will work together very closely. Statements by the Managing Director of IMF and the President of World Bank on the way forward have been quite inspiring and useful.
Q: Mr. Secretary-General, do you think in finding a solution to this global financial crisis, the under-developed and developing world which was not apart of it now should become stake-holders and that they should be involved in finding any solutions to this crisis. And do you also agree with the statement of the President of the General Assembly that the Bretton Woods Institutions should be restructured in order to address this crisis?
SG: Some developed countries have taken such an initiative and we are now going to meet in the expanded G20 [Group of 20] format in November. I am sure that we will be able to address this issue in a more comprehensive way. We will try our best to give priority to the challenges faced by people in under-developed and developing countries. And as the Secretary-General, I am going to emphasize, as I have been doing lately, that world leaders also to give priority to addressing the major United Nations goals such as climate change, MDGs [Millennium Development Goals], the food crisis and the health needs of the poor. These crucial issues should not be forgotten.
Q: Has there been any impact on the United Nations's budget and have you had to reduce cost in any way or are you planning to do so?
SG: Obviously, the United Nations cannot conduct business as usual in this context of global financial crisis. With this in mind, I have discussed the matter with the United Nations Senior Advisers and have instructed all Heads of Agencies, Funds, Programmes and Departments at headquarters to save two per cent of the budget expenditure for the coming biennium.
Thank you very much.
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