Zuma concerned over MDGs

(Image: GCIS)

However, the knowledge of this possibility should not make the continent give up, Zuma said at the United Nations General Assembly which closed in New York on Wednesday.

He said the continent should in the next three years accelerate the implementation of the MDGs.

"We appeal to all who have made financial commitments to Africa for the achievement of the MDGs not to renege on those commitments," Zuma said.

He said poverty, underdevelopment, lack of opportunities and competition for scarce resources contributed to some of the conflicts in the developing world including Africa.

"Therefore the promotion of sustainable development and the fight against poverty cannot be divorced from the quest for peace."

The Millennium Development Goals are eight international development goals that all 193 United Nations member states and at least 23 international organisations have agreed to achieve by the year 2015.

In them, world leaders committed themselves to eradicate extreme poverty, facilitate access to education, attain gender equality, improve maternal and child health and reduce the burden of disease among others.

"We urge the UN to continue promoting the achievement of MDGs and other instruments that have tenets that advance the human rights of women," said Zuma.