“Positive” MDG debate in the General Assembly

The 62nd session of the UN General Assembly held a thematic debate first week of April on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) entitled "Recognising the achievements, addressing the challenges and getting back on track to achieve the MDGs by 2015."

The debate focused on the poverty, education and health MDGs, the three goals where progress is most urgently required and where experience suggests that positive results have a catalytic effect on the other goals. The discussions lasted two days and focused on the most intractable problems, with plenary discussions and break-out sessions on the health and education goals.

"The discussions on the health panel were very positive. I found it particularly encouraging that the NGOs took such an active role," said Dr. Tore Godal, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on child and maternal mortality.

Panel discussion on health

When introducing the health panel, Dr. Asamoa-Baah, Deputy Director-General of the WHO, said that all the Millennium Development Goals were health related. To clarify his point he stressed the fact that a considerable proportion of ill-health was linked to food. At the same time, unless there was an educated population, promoting health was almost impossible. In reality, most diseases were, to a large extent, symptoms of other basic social problems.

Participants on the health panel included among others Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Ms. Obaid called for the health of women to be made a development and financing priority, saying that an estimated $6 billion in additional funding was needed each year to reduce maternal and newborn mortality.

The Nordic countries issued a joint statement emphasizing that internationally agreed development goals cannot be achieved without broader enjoyment of sexual and reproductive health and rights.

"The ability of women to control their own fertility and their access to reproductive health services is necessary to significantly reduce maternal and child mortality rates," the statement affirmed.

Coordinating activities

A progress report on the Global Campaign for the Health MDGs was launched in relation to the MDG debate. At the core of the Global Campaign lies more efficient collaboration among stakeholders, the strengthening of the health sector and advocacy. The progress report offers an update on the various initiatives included in the Campaign, their status and milestones for 2008.