UN General Assembly
2009

whether in the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council or the Security Council, or even in the context of specific initiatives such as the discussions being held by Canada on peacekeeping operations. We in the Niger have made undeniable progress in the area of combating poverty and promoting basic development, thanks to the bold actions of the President. Through projects designed specifically to meet the needs of Niger’s people, he has enabled our country to finally give meaning to development. Today, development is palpable in every corner of the Niger because of proactive and systematic efforts to build classrooms and health clinics, dig wells, build local drinking water systems and promote a microcredit system designed specifically for the most vulnerable rural women. The head of State is doing this to improve the living conditions of our people, who suffered from the political instability that characterized our country during the 1990s, which one could describe as a lost decade for Niger’s development. In late August, a meeting was held in Niamey for the