Implementation

“The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set by the United Nations in 2000 has contributed greatly to human survival and development, yet global development remains a protracted task. The international community faces . . . formidable challenges in . . . health of women and children . . . . Next year is the deadline set for meeting the MDGs, and the post-2015 development agenda will take over the historical mission.

“The MDGs have been the most successful global anti-poverty push in history. It is due to MDGs that the world witnesses 50 percent less poverty than it did in 1990, more girls in school, lesser number of children dying and more people having access to safe drinking water and sanitation.”

“The Millennium Development Goals count for one of the most successful global anti-poverty drives in history. Ranging from poverty, hunger, maternal and child health, gender equality, education and environment MDGs have noted important progress at the national, regional and global levels and have improved the lives of millions of people.

“The Philippines supports change and reform in the UN to strengthen its ability to meet new demands and deliver its mandate in the most effective, transparent, accountable, and efficient manner. . . . For example, if we were to elect a woman to be the next Secretary General of the United Nations, this would be a powerful signal on gender equality and empowerment.”

“My government values out women and girls who constitute half our population as equal development partners. We are making sure that gender empowerment and equality continue to be a cornerstone of our responsible sustainable development. We therefore support the work of UN Women.”

“Iceland is proud to support UN Women in the campaign to celebrate Beijing+20. We have partnered with Suriname to lead a friends' group of countries to galvanize support to promote gender equality and to commemorate the 20th anniversary. We call on Member States to join this effort and take concrete actions on the 12 themes of the Platform for Action.

“The key to building a fair society is sustainable development. To this end, we are committed to working on Post-2015 Development Agenda that will formulate the Sustainable Development Goals based on the 2000 Millennium Development Goals. These will be global in nature, universally applicable and will address persistent inequalities and new challenges facing people and our planet.

“Comprehensive and sustainable development cannot be achieved without the participation of all segments of the society in the national development process. Accordingly, the UAE pays special attention to women's empowerment, where the UAE now occupies a prominent place among the countries of the world in terms of women's achievements and successes in all areas of life.

“Our membership of the Human Rights Council is an opportunity to continue working on the key priorities Austria pursued during the Security Council membership in 2009/2010: the protection of civilians, the safety of journalists, the implementation of resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, the freedom of religion and belief, as well as the protection of children from violence and abuse.”

“In addition, we salute the efforts undertaken since the launch of the activities of UN-Women and we have the hope that this new organ will allow for the reinforcement of UN activities in favor of women's empowerment and the defense of women's rights, as well as equality of sexes about all in developing countries.”