UN Maldives Draws Attention to Achieving Millennium Development Goals on UN Day

The UN system in the Maldives focused on sustainable development and accelerated efforts to achieve the MDGs in its celebration of the 67th founding anniversary of the United Nations. The theme for the commemoration is “MDG Acceleration and Sustainable Development”.  The UN Day 2012 theme in the Maldives is a contribution to the global advocacy to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. 

In an official function organized to commemorate the UN Day, the Resident Coordinator Mr. Andrew Cox stated that “while Maldives has made great strides in achieving the MDG goals and attaining MDG+ status, the gains made need to be sustained and reversal of achievements must be prevented”. Elaborating on the support provided by the UN system in this regard, Mr. Cox highlighted the ongoing UN partnership with the Government in developing an MDG Acceleration Framework, aimed at  prioritising actions and strategies to reach the 2015 targets. “I hope the Government will finalise as soon as possible its plans for the MDG Acceleration Framework”, he said. The UN Resident Coordinator also noted the need to start a national  dialogue on the Post-2015 development agenda and highlighted the global efforts spearheaded by the UN towards that end.   

Focusing on the political and social environment, Mr. Cox highlighted the significant challenges faced by Maldives and noted the need for all stakeholders to resume dialogue and work together to implement democratic reforms.  He reiterated the United Nations continued support in the reform and nation building process.

Vice President, H.E Mohamed Waheed Deen was the Chief Guest at the official function and delivered a message on behalf of the Government, noting the important role played by the UN in Maldives national development process. He also highlighted the important role played by UN in facilitating political dialogue.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight international development goals that were agreed by all UN member states following the Millennium Summit of the United Nations in 2000, following the adoption of the United Nations Millennium Declaration. The UN system in the Maldives has been supporting the country to achieve the MDG goals through the UN Development Assistance Framework for 2011-2015.  Maldives has achieved five out of the eight Millennium Development Goals ahead of the 2015 deadline, making it South Asia’s only MDG+ country.