Washington, D.C.-ONE today made the following statement regarding a new United Nations report outlining the steps needed to achieve the poverty-reducing Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The “International Assessment” released by the U.N. comes in advance of this September’s MDG Summit, where world leaders will meet to review progress toward the MDGs and plot a new course for achieving them.

ONE’s U.S. Executive Director Shelia Nix said:

“This assessment is a timely reminder that the Millennium Development Goals can be achieved if we muster the political will-which is exactly what needs to be achieved at September’s crucial summit.”

“The report highlights some great success stories and smart approaches: investment in agriculture to boost economic growth, more educational opportunity for girls, locally developed strategies where poor nations take the lead in their own development. We know these type of strategies are part of a more impactful and effective approach to development, one that will cut poverty more quickly and broadly and lead to sustainable futures for poor nations.

“If there’s a weakness in this report, it is a lack of focus on the importance of governance, especially the need to stop foreign companies from enabling and enhancing corruption in Africa, either by bribing officials or helping criminals stash their stolen loot overseas.

“In addition to new approaches, any successful new plan for the Millennium Development Goals in September will absolutely have to include more money for proven mechanisms like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which has saved millions of lives and can save millions more. Finally, September’s summit will need to bring a new focus to boost economic growth in developing countries, including agreement from the international community to stop any corrupting influences which might undermine that growth.”