'Innovative ideas needed to eradicate global poverty'

[sharmila banu.m]

New York, June 09: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said "groundbreaking ideas" and "collaborative efforts" are crucial in advancing the global anti-poverty targets known as Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

In a message at the two-day "Incentive2Innovate" conference hosted by the UN yesterday, Ban said widespread poverty is worsening because of the global financial crisis.

Noting that some 6 million children die of malnutrition before they turn five and that climate change threatens havoc in all countries, the UN chief stressed that by bringing together government officials, business executives and philanthropists, "we can confront the major threats plaguing our world."

Combining knowledge, resources and innovation can spur economic growth and recovery, Ban said in the message delivered on his behalf by Amir Dossal, Director of the UN Office for Partnerships (UNOP).

"You are very well-placed to find the fresh ideas, new partnerships and multilateral solutions our times demand," Ban told participants.

Speakers at the conference, organised by UNOP along with the X PRIZE Foundation, BT Global Services and the John Templeton Foundation, will highlight open collaboration and incentives competition to benefit humanity.




SOURCE - ZEENEWS