Secretary-General's press encounter about the MDG Summit [unofficial transcript]

Let me begin by thanking you for your patience during this transition and Summit meeting, because of this CMP [Capital Master Plan].

I understand it got very intimate yesterday, and many people were working by candlelight.

World leaders had to climb the stairwells on foot to my office. I was thinking that it was quite fortunate that we were not still on the 38th floor yesterday. I hope you will bear with all this inconvenience. I am trying my best to promote the conditions of journalists working here.

And again, thank you for your understanding.

Today we close the most significant global development conference since the Millennium Summit ten years ago.

And we open the final five-year push until 2015.

We know the gaps.

But this week, we also heard a catalogue of progress. In reducing poverty. Expanding primary education. Fighting killer diseases. Ensuring clean water.

We saw commitment. The outcome document highlights decent work and green growth, nutrition and smallholder farming, inclusive financial service, women's health and empowerment –all the key issues.

We saw resolve backed by resources. Major concrete commitments to meet the Millennium Development Goals.

Let me highlight one: the Global Strategy for Women's and Children's Health. You must have seen such great excitement as well as the strong commitment by all the world leaders, not only from governments but also international organizations, philanthropists, civil communities, and business entrepreneurs.

This is a true 21st century partnership and global leadership of governments, the private sector, foundations and civil society.

We are teaming up to put women and children first –backed by more than $40 billion in resources and many ambitious pledges to do more for women's and children's health.

These commitments will ensure more health for the money –and more money for health.

The international community is determined to meet the MDGs.

At a moment when tolerance is being tested, world leaders sent a message that highlights our common humanity, our common obligations, and our common future.

At a time of economic uncertainty and fiscal austerity, we have said that the crisis is no excuse for letting up our efforts, it underscores the need for action.

After all, the MDGs go beyond development.

Meeting the goals is about building self-sufficiency –helping people help themselves.

It is about tapping into the potential and dynamism of the emerging economies and developing countries.

It is about generating global economic growth –creating decent jobs.

The main message I take away from this Summit is the collective will to step up.

To step up our action.

To step up to our responsibilities and commitments.

To step up our progress because the MDGs will help us all step into a better world.

Thank you very much.

Q: Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary-General. So, I would like to ask you a different topic. This is about the problem between Japan and China. As you know, there is a problem between the two countries about the border. A Chinese vessel crossed the border illegally. What is your idea about this problem, and how do you think the two countries should solve this problem? Thank you.

SG: First of all, let us focus our dialogue on MDGs today. I am very much in a hurry, in fact. I will not be able to take all other regional issues. I hope you will understand. Maybe I will get back to you later on other issues.

Q: I have a question about MDGs, and also about your MDG Advocacy Group.

On the MDGs, there's a criticism made by the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Mr. [Olivier] de Schutter, where he says that the MDGs may be just treating the symptoms. He points to things like off-shore tax havens, and the ability of leaders to take money out of their countries, and he points to debt relief, the debt service by poor countries adding up to about $500 billions. So he says that there is danger of focussing on charity as opposed to structural things that hurt poor countries. I wanted to have your response to that, also, one thing I noticed this morning is that, of your two co-chairs, Mr. Zapatero left. I know that in Madrid, the two didn't meet because of sort of war crimes and other issues. Have those issues been resolved and could the two men work together to promote MDG Advocacy Group?

SG: There should be no mix-up between development and politics. Prime Minister Zapatero explained to me two days ago that because of his very urgent domestic issues, he had to go back. That I understood. Because, every leader, they may have certain domestic issues on which they have to put priority. The MDG Advocacy Group meeting today was, I think, a great success. You have seen such a strong commitment among, not only MDG advocates, champions, but all other leaders participating in that. And for other matters, I think all those issues which you raised have been the subjects which have been discussed in the international community. I think it's not appropriate for me to discuss those matters here at this time.

Q: Mr. Secretary-General, the Summit is finishing, but we know that the Summit Resolution was signed before it began. Why do you need this? And the second question is, do you have some special results of this summit, something special and very concrete, if it is possible, please?

SG: To make it clear, the outcome document is going to be adopted this evening. I am not sure what time. The Member States are still delivering their positions, so after that the President [of the General Assembly] will take action to adopt this plan of action. I believe that there is a consensus on the negotiated draft plan of action, which is quite concrete, detailed. We believe it is workable. I am very much encouraged. Again, thank you very much. I have to go to the General Assembly.