UNGA president reminds states to fulfill MDG pledges

United Nations General Assembly president Srgjan Kerim called on the international community to do as it promised to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. “At the midway point to achieve the MDGs, all of our commitments must now be urgently translated into practical plans with systematic follow-through by all parties,” Kerim said, adding that progress towards the achievement of goals remains slow. “The stakes are high. If we achieve the MDGs on time, 500 million people will be lifted out of poverty, 300 million more people will be adequately fed, and 30 million young children?s lives will have been saved,” he added. (Source: Time to translate anti-poverty commitments into action, says Assembly President/UN News Center)