Millennium Development Goals( MDG) 2011 and MDG plus 10 Reports Launched- 11 July 2011

UNDP Kenya Country Director Maria-Threase Keating, Prof. Chege, Dean of Students, StrathMore University and Prof. Oyebanji, UNHABITAT displays the MDG Report ,

(July 11, 2011, Nairobi )- The UN Millennium Development Goals Report 2011 hailed progress on the eight development goals and notes that majority of countries in the world are likely to attain the 2015 target if they accelerate the present momentum.

The Millennium Development Goals report 2011 and the Millennium Development Goals Plus 10 were launched on 11th July at Strathmore University. The event was graced by Maria–Threase Keating, the UNDP Kenya Country Director, Prof. Oyebanji Oyeyinka, Director of Research and Policy at UNHABITAT, representatives from the Kenyan government and civil society groups among others. Various local universities were also represented among them: The University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Daystar University, United States International University (USIU) and Strathmore University.

In the key note address from the Minister of planning, National development and vision 2030 Hon. Ambetsa Oparanya, presented by his Chief Economic Advisor, Dr. Michael Chege, the minister emphasized that the MDGs remain on course albeit unevenly across some goals and African sub regions. The minister praised the two documents for providing comparative data and policy suggestions to his ministry and the government on the best practices. He acknowledged the fact that the global MDG initiative has already lifted millions of people out of poverty, put unprecedented numbers of children into schools, lowered maternal deaths, increased child vaccinations, and brought clean water to millions. Further, the minister expounded on the various measures taken by the Kenyan government to ensure the eight MGDs are on track, pointing out that if all the initiatives were taken together, Kenya would possibly meet most if not all the targets stipulated under the MDGs thus help millions of people.

In her speech, the UNDP Kenya Country Director Maria-Threase Keating noted that since the adoption of the MDGs in 2000, they have helped the world work together to make a difference in many people’s lives by setting global and national priorities that fuel action on the ground. She noted, “One of the main challenges to this advancement has been that, progress has been uneven. Millions of people – particularly the poorest and most marginalized, are being left behind.” Keating called for more determined steps to accelerate and sustain MDG progress, stating that they are not just abstract targets but they stand for a world of prosperity, equity, freedom, dignity and peace.

Prof. Oyebanji gave an overview of the MDG 2011, highlighting the progress Kenya has made so far. He hailed the new Kenyan constitution as a driver of progress across all the MDGs saying together we stand an opportunity to build on the world if we come together to achieve all we can.The event, organized by UNIC, UNDP, The Government and United Nations Millennium Campaign Office concluded with the issuance of the reports to the University representatives.