This Consultative Group meeting on Bolivia is timely and crucial. For the past 20 years, Bolivia has undertaken a series of reforms with the assistance of the United Nations family. Yet the majority of the Bolivian people, who have already made significant sacrifices, continue to endure great hardship. Urgent action is needed to ensure that their demands for social justice are answered, and that the developing democratic process continues to move forward.

The Millennium Development Goals -- adopted by all countries as a blueprint for improving the lives of people everywhere in the 21st century -- offer an invaluable tool for doing just that. Bolivia -- which has a history of innovative approaches to development and international cooperation -- has made the achievement of the Goals the cornerstone of the policies that it is presenting to this Consultative Group.

But reaching the Goals will require intensified efforts by Bolivians and the international community alike. Bolivia must take the lead by implementing the policies and changes essential to establishing a sound basis for translating the Goals into reality. This is a task that will require unity and persistence among all Bolivians. But equally, considerable international support is needed, through a ground-breaking partnership that goes beyond what has characterized the Bolivian experience over so many years.

This meeting provides a signal opportunity to give concrete meaning to our commitment. It is my sincere hope that both Bolivia and donor countries will seize it. In that spirit, I wish you a most productive meeting.