UN: Eradicating poverty not a
question of charity but of justice and human rights
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| The UN says over 700 million people are unable to meet their basic daily needs.- AFP |
UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres issued a message for
the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty observed on October 17.
By Robin Gomes
The United Nations International Day for the Eradication of
Poverty was observed across the globe on Wednesday.
In a message for the occasion, UN Secretary-General, Antonio
Guterres urged the international community to uphold the core pledge
of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of leaving no one behind in its
fight to eradicate poverty in all its forms and dimensions.
Fight against poverty
In his message, Guterres expressed satisfaction that since
the first International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 25 years ago,
nearly 1 billion people have escaped poverty, thanks to political
leadership, inclusive economic development and international cooperation.
However, he regretted that still over 700
million people are unable to meet their basic daily needs. Many live in
situations of conflict and crisis; others face barriers in accessing health
care, education and job opportunities, preventing them from benefitting from
broader economic development. And in all these, women are disproportionately
affected.
The theme for this year’s International Day for the
Eradication of Poverty is: “Coming together with those furthest behind to
build an inclusive world of universal respect for human rights and
dignity.”
Justice, not charity
The UN Secretary-General said that eradicating
poverty in all its forms and dimensions, as embodied in Goal 1 of
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, remains one of the greatest
global challenges and a major priority for the United Nations.
Recalling that this year occurs the 70th anniversary of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN chief said that “ending poverty
is not a matter of charity but a question of justice.” He said, “There is
a fundamental connection between eradicating extreme poverty and
upholding the equal rights of all people.”
Inclusion
Guterres urged the international community to “listen to the
millions of people experiencing poverty and destitution across the globe,
tackle the power structures that prevent their inclusion in society and address
the indignities they face.”
He urged them to “build a fair globalization that creates
opportunities for all and ensure that rapid technological development boosts
our poverty eradication efforts.2
He enjoined the world to commit itself to uphold the core
pledge of the 2030 Agenda of leaving no one behind.
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