The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said this is a crucial year in the life of the United Nations.

"We have just passed the midpoint in the struggle to reach the Millennium Development Goals - our common vision for building a better world in the 21st century," he said in a message on the eve of the United Nations Day.

He said that "we can see more clearly than ever that the threats of the 21st century spare no one." Climate change, the spread of disease and deadly weapons, and the scourge of terrorism all cross borders, he pointed out.

"If we want to advance the global common good, we must secure global public goods."

The UN Secretary-General said many countries are still not on track to reach the Millennium Development Goals by the target date of 2015. "I am also deeply concerned about the impact of the global financial crisis. Never has leadership and partnership been more important."

"This makes our success at the high-level MDG event in September all the more remarkable. We brought together a broad coalition for change. Governments, CEOs and Civil Society. We generated unprecedented commitment in pledges and partnerships to help the world's poor."