A/64/PV.95 General Assembly

I would like to thank Mr. Ali Abdussalam Treki, President of the General Assembly, and participants in today’s meeting for being here to share their ideas, experiences and energy as we plan for the summit on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in September. I salute the General Assembly and President Treki for bringing us together. This hearing is based on a simple truth — tackling global challenges takes a global effort. Member States cannot do it alone. More than ever, we need the full engagement of civil society, non- governmental organizations, local authorities and the private sector. We need all participants in this meeting to help us tackle climate change, to secure peace, to fight poverty and uphold human rights and human dignity. They are already making a real difference by mobilizing international support and driving concrete initiatives to expand opportunities around the world. I urge them to use the full power of their advocacy to scale-up progress. The MDGs are everyone’s goals. Achieving them will take all of us. I am convinced that we can do it by keeping promises, focusing on what works, promoting national ownership and leadership, and emphasizing governance, accountability and solidarity, including South–South cooperation. At these hearings, I encourage a truly interactive dialogue and active participation. The world is counting on those who are gathered here today. Their proposals and initiatives will play an essential role in helping us develop an action plan that Member States can adopt at the summit. I thank them for their commitment to the MDGs, and I will see them in September.

I thank the Secretary-General for his statement. I shall now adjourn this opening plenary meeting of this important event. Members and invited representatives are reminded that the informal interactive hearings session on “Building a better tomorrow: local actions, national strategies and global structures” will be held in this Hall immediately following the adjournment of this plenary meeting.