UNITED NATIONS MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Belgrade, 12 September 2004 – At a meeting this morning with representatives of the United Nations, HRH Crown Prince Alexander endorsed the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG) for Serbia and Montenegro. The goals are the result of the September 2000 United Nations Millennium Summit where world leaders agreed to eight goals essential for sustainable human development.

HRH Crown Prince Alexander warmly received the United Nations delegation headed by Mr. Francis M. O’Donnel, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Serbia and Montenegro, and including Professor Jerzy Osiatnyski the United Nations Development Program’s Regional Advocate for the UN’s Millennium Development Goals initiative, and Mr. Nicholas Hercules advisor in the resident coordinator’s office in Belgrade and endorsed the MDG initiative. The Crown Prince offered to work with other national entities to disseminate information about the MDG initiative to ensure its successful adoption.

During the meeting Professor Osiatynski, Poland’s former Minister of Finance and Minister of Economy, provided a brief overview of the MDSG’s eight goals for combating poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women. The General Assembly of the United Nations has called upon all Member States to produce, by the end of 2004, a report on the progress of adopting the MDG goals on a national level.

The meeting at the Royal Palace was also attended by Professor Dr. Dragolub Kavran member of the Crown Council and Mr. Branko Terzic member of the Privy Council