Karachi, May 22: Government ministers from across the Asia-Pacific region have expressed support to a roadmap, which aims to help the poor countries lagging behind to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, a UNESCAP press release posted on its website said.
The blueprint, set out by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), was discussed at its annual ministerial meeting held in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Mr Kim Hak-Su, under secretary general of UNESCAP applauded the commitment from the member states. The objective of the plan, he said, was to add value to national level strategies and processes,” targeting those off-track countries and those below the Asian average.”A paper presented by UNESCAP for the session says, “Not all developing countries are making adequate progress towards achieving the goals; and none are presently on track to meet all the goals by 2015.”
The roadmap aims to have all countries marginally off-track to be back on-track towards reaching MDGs by 2009. It also aims for those moderately off-track to be in line by 2011, and those in the severely off-track category to be on target by the end of 2013.
The roadmap proposes a multi-track approach, including enhancing MDG-related legislations and strengthening partnerships, such as that between UNESCAP, UNDP, and the Asian Development Bank on promoting MDGs.
It emphasises the involvement of all the stakeholders — the government, the private sector, non-government organisations, research and academic institutes, and international organisations.
The proposals are intended to be fed into national development strategies, which need to be monitored and evaluated as well as to be fully resourced. The roadmap also calls for regional cooperation to help off-track countries with capacity development, expertise, resources and advocacy.
There was overwhelming support from ministers at the meeting. Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia Mendsaikhan Enkhasaikhan commended UNESCAP for the initiative.
Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities of Vanuatu Edward Natapei said his government was encouraged to see the high level of commitment by the UN agencies.
Mr. Marat Tazhin, minister of foreign affairs of Kazakhstan said the roadmap laid a good foundation and provided a unique opportunity for all nations to coordinate and redouble their efforts aimed at achieving the MDGs by 2015. The roadmap is expected to be endorsed by the commission session when it concludes on Wednesday.
