Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to Child Survival Call to Action
© UNICEF/NYHQ2010-1925/Berkwitz
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
MESSAGE TO CHILD SURVIVAL CALL TO ACTION
Washington, D.C. 14 June 2012
Delivered by Mr. Anthony Lake, Executive Director, UNICEF
I congratulate the Governments of Ethiopia, India and the United States for bringing together so many global leaders from government, civil society and the private sector to reaffirm our collective commitment to child survival.
This forum lends renewed energy and focus to our efforts to end preventable child deaths -- one of the overarching goals of Every Woman Every Child, which aims to save 16 million lives by 2015.
I have seen the dramatic gains that are possible when smart policies and dedicated health workers work hand in hand. Yet the deadline to meet the Millennium Development Goals will soon be upon us, and there remains much to do.
Further progress requires interventions that cut across issues and illnesses. We must go beyond the health sector to incorporate lessons from the fields of education, water, sanitation and nutrition. Solid monitoring and reporting are also essential, so that we can draw the right lessons and refine our strategies.
The well-being of children is one of the UN’s top priorities. In a world of plenty, there can be no excuse for not making the modest investments in children that will reap dividends for all, for generations to come. That is what the Call to Action and A Promise Renewed are all about. I wish you all the best for success and I look forward to working with all partners to give every child the best possible start in life.