President Rosen Plevneliev said that the UN member states must keep their promise and unite around a common agreement on the post-2015 priorities for human development, which also includes a new model for sustainable economic development. The Head of State made a statement at a round-table event in the United Nations, dedicated to the efforts put into implementing the Millennium Development Goals up to 2015.
“The adoption of the Millennium Development Goals in 2000 was a ground-breaking and far-sighted act which set out an ambitious plan of action to fight extreme poverty and underdevelopment. Progress has been made – poverty has been reduced, access to education has been expanded, clean water has become available to millions of people, child mortality has decreased and the spread of diseases has been limited. However, more efforts are needed to bring the Millennium Development Goals to a successful conclusion,” Rosen Plevneliev emphasized.
As a member of the European Union, Bulgaria has done its share in the global efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. We have made our first steps as a donor of developmental and humanitarian aid, showing our solidarity with people in need across the globe, the Head of State said.
Bulgaria completely shares the priorities within the Europe 2020 strategy for achieving energy efficiency and sustainable resources management, the introduction of green technology and innovation. Efficient management of natural resources is a key element of the Bulgaria 2020 strategy, Rosen Plevneliev added.
The President further said that Bulgaria will continue to encourage the responsible attitude to the natural resources within the regional cooperation as well. “Bulgaria recently hosted an international conference on the sustainable development of the Danube region. Our goal is to create a green economy model based on renewable energy which will change the present production and consumption patterns, ensuring sustainable development in all its aspects,” Rosen Plevneliev said.
Plevneliev also emphasized that Bulgaria’s education policy is in line with the UNESCO “Education for All in the 21st Century” strategy. It is an integral part of the care for the wellbeing of any nation.
“A child, left without education today will become a person condemned to live in material and spiritual poverty tomorrow. Therefore, we need to make every effort towards achieving a truly educational model,” the Bulgarian Head of State further added.
On Tuesday, 24 September, Rosen Plevneliev attended a summit dedicated to Ukraine’s road to EU accession and was guest at a reception on the occasion of 1150 years since the mission of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius to Great Moravia, given by the President of the Republic of Slovakia Ivan Gasparovic.
At a meeting held with Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO, the President reiterated Bulgaria’s support for her re-election for a second term in office as head of the organization. According to the Head of State, Irina Bokova’s re-election will create the opportunity for successfully continuing and implementing the reforms undertaken in UNESCO, the aim of which is to optimize the organization’s activity and increase its efficiency.
On the fourth day of his visit to the US, the President will hold a meeting with Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and will hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Southeast Europe. Rosen Plevneliev will also take part in the traditional meeting within Bill Clinton’s Global Initiative.