Secretary-General, at Eurasia Conference, Encourages Region’s Efforts to Foster

Global Economic Growth, Environmental Well-Being, Social Progress

 

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the International Conference “Global Cooperation in the Era of Eurasia” hosted by the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, in Seoul on 18 October:

Your Excellency, President Park Geun-hye, of the Republic of Korea, Your Excellency Mr. Natsagiin Bagabandi, former President of Mongolia, Honourable Lee Hong-koo, former Prime Minister of Korea, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to offer warm greetings to all of the participants in this international conference.  I thank the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy for hosting.

The vast Eurasian region covers more than a third of the Earth’s land and is home to nearly three quarters of the planet’s people.  Dynamic progress there can drive growth everywhere.  Global cooperation was a major theme when leaders met at the United Nations last month.  I called on them to do more to end poverty, give voice to the people and foster sustainable development and peace.

We are striving to accelerate our efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals by the year 2015.  Discussions on a universal development agenda for the post-2015 period are well under way.  And we are pressing for a comprehensive legal agreement on climate change.

You can be part of this historic effort to promote economic growth, environmental stewardship and social progress and to place the world on a sustainable path.  Eurasia has lessons for the world and I look forward to your contributions as the key year of 2015 draws near.  By strengthening global cooperation, you support the UN’s mission for a better future and a life of dignity for all.

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For information media • not an official record