Economic and Social Development

GREECE AND DEVELOPMENT

In the year 2000, Heads of State and Government from 189 countries gathered in New York to sign the Millennium Declaration. In doing so they were committing themselves and the peoples they represented in eradicating extreme poverty from the world by the year 2015.

In the year 2001 the General Assembly adopted a SG Report on the Millenium Declaration that identified eight development goals, which are known thereafter as Millennium Development Goals. One thing is certain about them: they are feasible. Goals one through seven aim to raise the poor out of poverty and hunger, get every child into school, empower women, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases and ensure enviromental sustainability. The eigth goal declares the way to move forward: it requires a global partnership for development.

To ensure that the goals will be achieved, the Monterey Consensus was adopted in 2002. Developed countries pledged to support the MDGs by earmarking 0,7% of their GDP for development assistance by 2015.

A monitoring mechanism has been set up. National reports are prepared by member-states while the Secretary-General reports to the General Assembly. Civil Society plays an important role in this process with NGOs reporting on governemts' performance. Over sixty country reports have already been produced at the national level. Greece recently published its first report on implementation of the Millennium Development Goals which reflects our determination to succesfully respond to requirements set by the Millennium Declaration.