MDG Deadline is not the finish line - Kagame

President Kagame has called for increased action towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals and building on the gains made to date. While speaking during during a high level United Nations Millennium Development Goals advocates meeting in New York, yesterday, President Kagame pointed out that everyone can be an advocate for the Millennium Development Goals because there is always more to do, and every voice counts: The event aimed at showcasing the progress in achieving MDGs across the globe. “The MDGs are a floor, not a ceiling. Being “on-track” does not mean that a problem is solved, far from it. Even in the face of setbacks, which will always be there, it is useful to see them as opportunities to strengthen institutions and improve service delivery.” President Kagame said. With only 462 days to go until the deadline set for MDGs, President Kagame reminded those present that the MDGs are only the beginning as more needs to be done. The event held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly launched the MDG Advocates Leaders Report titled “Accelerating Action: Global Leaders on Challenges and Opportunities for MDG Achievement.” The report features a range of contributions from 37 leaders, including President Kagame, the UN Secretary-General, MDG Advocacy Group members, Heads of State and Government, UN officials, experts and champions of the MDGs. In their joint foreword to the report, President Kagame and Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg emphasized the need and importance of continuing the momentum beyond the MDGs: “All of us, whether in government, business, or civil society, have to keep pushing, not just to December 2015, but beyond. The MDG deadline, after all, is not the finish line of a race, and there will be neither medals nor rest.” Rwanda and Tunisia are the two African countries (out of 10 globally) that will be piloting thematic areas in the post-Millennium Development Goals because of their remarkable performance under the UN development agenda. Rwanda has met the deadline for some of MDGs including the fastest rate of decline of child mortality and gender parity in education.

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MDG Deadline is not the finish line - Kagame