Vatican City, Nov 23, 2004 / 22:00 pm
Speaking before the United Nations General Assembly on the Millenium Declaration which was signed in September of 2000, Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Holy See permanent observer to the UN, noted that while commitments taken by member states to link development and human rights were encouraging, the aid given to date has fell far short of what members had promised.
Masgr. Migliore said that it was “encouraging to hear from previous delegations of their commitment to development that has a human face. Indeed, forging links between human rights and development, and recognizing basic freedoms and equality before the law, eliminate many violent conflicts that threaten hopes for the realization of economic and social rights."
However, "scarce economic aid and international economic conditions have not allowed the poorest countries to achieve the most important targets in education, health and access to water and sanitation."
The archbishop pointed out that total official aid fell far short of "the long-agreed aid goal of 0.7% of national income.”