Almost one-quarter of the world's population still lives in a state of poverty. About 110 million do not attend school. Poverty has always been a prime concern in the work of the United Nations. In recent years, the fight against poverty has been the subject of heightened attention. The eradication of poverty has also been the common thread of major United Nations conferences of the 1990s, especially the World Summit for Social Development.
Eradication of poverty requires enhanced economic growth and employment opportunities.
There is no shortage of strategies and plans, analyses and statistics, approaches and measures. What we need is a renewed determination and willingness to bring all actors together in one unstinting effort. On this day, dedicated to the eradication of poverty, I appeal to the haves of the world to recognize the needs of the have-nots. Let us continue to work together more closely and at all levels of the United Nations to spearhead the war against poverty.