UN General Assembly
2009

we are on course to meet a number of the MDGs. However, we face severe difficulties in responding to the combination of the devastating HIV/AIDS pandemic, high levels of food insecurity and poverty. I once again call upon the international community to increase support to our national programmes for sustainable economic and social development through measures such as market access and access to financial resources in the form of concessional loans and foreign direct investment flows. The need for a strong and effective United Nations cannot be overemphasized. The process for the reform of the Organization should be expedited in order to deliver on its promises in the maintenance of international peace and security, respect for human rights, social and economic development and the protection of the environment. There is an urgent need to reform the Security Council to make it more representative, democratic and accountable. Is it not an anomaly, and unjust, that Africa remains the only region without permanent representation on the Security Council? This does not reflect the continent’s vital role in the maintenance of