India asks rich to help spur poor nations' economies

On its part "India remains firmly committed to realising the vision set out in Cairo 15 years ago and to fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015," Shashi Tharoor, minister of state for external affairs, told the UN General Assembly Monday.
"In these difficult times when the world is still grappling with the adverse effects of an unprecedented global economic and financial crisis, developing countries, where the crisis did not originate, have been the most affected," he said.

"This threatens to undermine and even reverse the gains made so far in their arduous journey of development," said Tharoor during an open debate to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).
Thus, "the need for donors to honour their pledges and the international community to keep up the stimulus and other efforts to spur the economies of developing countries cannot be overemphasised," said the former UN official speaking before the world body for the first time as India's representative.

While India would certainly do all it "can domestically and within our capacities with our partners in the South, it is imperative that the international community meet its commitments in the global partnership that is critical for a better quality of life for all of us on our shared planet," Tharoor said.

A review of the landmark ICPD in Cairo in 1994 would indicate that the global achievements have been mixed at best, he said noting, "There have been slippages internationally as well as in many countries, including my own."

Tharoor regretted that globally "we are still far from realising the goal of universal primary education, infant and child mortality and maternal mortality rates continue to remain high and access to universal reproductive health is still distant in many parts of the world."

Expressing his firm belief that "these goals are still achievable," he said, "Resolute political will and concerted global action are needed to realise these goals."
"The benchmarks set by the ICPD Conference continue to highlight the onerous task ahead for all of us."