PERMANENT MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS
8 EAST 65th STREET - NEW YORK, NY 10021 - (212) 879-8600

Please clzeck apairzst delive13)

Statement by The Foreign Minister of Pakistan,
H.E. Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi,

at the

High-level Pienary Meeting of the Genera! Assembjy on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

New York. 21 September 2010 .

Statement by H.E. Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Foreign Minister of Pakistan, at the 2010 High-Level Meeting on the Millennium Developnlent Goals (MDGs) (New York, 21 September 2010) Mr. President,

The Millemi~lniDevelopnient Goals s)rnibolize our collective resolve to create a better world that ensures better quality of life for our people. We are, therefore, happy to see MDGs at the forefront of the global development agenda and policy debate. Witli only five years to go in achieving what we pledged at tlie Millennium Summit, this important high level plenary liieeting provides us a good and tiliiely opportunity to take stock of where we stand in achieving tlie Millennium Developnient Goals (MDGs) and to explore ways and means to accelerate progress towards their achievement.
Mr. President,

Pakistan has produced three Millennium Developn~e~it Goals Reports (MDGR). A fourth report has been publislied last nionth. The latest MDGR for 2010 presents a frank and fortluigl~taccount of where we stand in realizing the MDGs. The sliort-to-medium temi prospects for achieving the goals are less than promising. Until a few years ago, we were on track to achieve a number of Millenniu~iiDevelopment Goals and targets. However, negative fall out of security challenges posed by the ongoing fight against terrorism severely impacted on the economy. The unprecedented floods which hit the country in late July, causing massive loss to crops, dwellings, livestoclc, services: industrial and com~nunicationinfrastructure have changed almost everylhing. The rehabilitation a i d reconstruction in affected areas would need billions of dollars. It \vould liave its impact on eco~lomic recovery as well as achieving MDG's. Notwithstanding, econolnic difficulties, the MDGs remain centerpiece of the democratic government's development efforts. They are an integral part of our Medium Term Development Frameworl<. Our strategy rests on tlie following seven pillars:
First, good economic management based on a pro-poor growth strategy relying on better fiscal and monetary discipline. Second, improving governance by consolidating democracy and ensuring participation of people in decision making at all levels, botli as a means of delivering better development results and ensuring social and economic justice.

Third, achieving high and broad-based economic growth focusing particularly on the rural economy, while maintaining macroecononiic stability. In our view agriculture holds the key to all efforts aimed at poverty alleviation. Fourth, investing in and building human capital to ensure effective delivery of basic social services. Fifth, bringing the poor and vulnerable into the mainstream of developn~ent by augmenting targeted interventions and expanding social safety nets. Sixth, focus on empowerment of women and minorities as well as improving access to the quality healthcare and education. Seventh, pursuing peace and forging close bilateral and regional economic partnerships with a view to sharing and leveraging our geographical location at the crossroads of three vital regions - South Asia, Central Asia and West Asia.

Mr. President.
Tlie initiatives aimed at achieving these objectives include the following: a) Under Benazir Income Support Program~i~e, female headed poor houseliold are eligible for snlall cash transfers to meet basic needs. More than 3 million house holds are benefiting from this scheme. b) A new Employnient Co~nmissionhas been established for creation of new jobs in public and private sectors. c) New Education Policy and Rcforrlls Programlnc is geared to sltill development for active and productive participation of youth in the development process. d) Women empowenlient has been identified as one of tile top priority by the govenuiient, e) Considerable progress has been made in reducing maternal mortality and controlling diseases. However, we still have to go a long way.

f) Nigh priority is being attached to ensure environnientai sustainability. We would require greater support from the international comniunity to meet this challenge.
Mr. President, We are coii~mittedto the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals and lteen to work with the international community to turn the challenges into opportunities. We are conscious of our responsibility and are deter~ninedto create a more prosperous, peaceful and hannonious world for our future generations.

I thank You, Mr. President