Mr. Chairman, if we are to eradicate poverty, we must be able to provide the poor with the tools to thrive in a more prosperous society. To simply eradicate poverty and call the job done is to ignore the root of the problem and allow a sickness to resurface. It is important that in seeking out tools for alleviating poverty, we do not neglect the very people we are assisting. We must not only develop such tools, we must give these very tools directly to those who live in poverty so that their lives and those of their children will be better in the future. Along this theme, effective strategies to combat poverty should also be concerned with developing good governance and sound economic policies.
Good governance goes hand in hand with alleviating poverty.
Governments must be engaged in ensuring access to health care, housing, nutrition, education, infrastructure, and access to land to help the poor. In fighting poverty governments must strengthen, encourage and protect civil society, local independent agencies, women's groups and non-governmental organizations working in their countries. Poverty alleviation has to be a national priority for all. Support of macroeconomic and microeconomic policies are necessary for enabling small and microbusinesses to flourish. Daily experience shows that the strongest corollary with poverty alleviation is economic growth.