On the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, celebrated yesterday,  the United Nations secretary general made a vibrant statement reiterating his organisation's commitment to eradicate poverty from the face of the world. The day is centred on the theme "Human Rights and the Dignity of People Living in Poverty".

According to the UN boss, this year's International Day recalls the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 60 years ago.  ''The declaration affirms that everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family," he noted.

Conscious of the fact that the phenomenon is becoming a veritable menace, he indicated that sixty years on, hundreds of millions of people are still deprived of basic human rights such as food, housing, education and decent working conditions.  ''Those forced to live in poverty often face social exclusion, discrimination and disempowerment.  Poverty robs the poor of their human dignity" he said.

Resolutely decided to tackle the issue, the UN secretary general said that efforts utilised to eradicate poverty must pay close attention to respect for human rights and the dignity of all.  ''They must go beyond basic material needs and address discrimination and inequality.  That means ensuring that all poor people have access to the resources they need - land, capital, knowledge and skills - to escape poverty.  It means empowering the poor to effectively participate in decision-making and other activities that directly affect their lives," he emphasised.

In the light of rising food and fuel prices, he said ''current economic uncertainties make this task even more challenging".

''An estimated 100 million people are now at risk of falling into poverty,'' he warned.

Ban Ki-Moon seized the opportunity to recall that last September, governments reconfirmed their commitments to the Millennium Development Goals.  ''Many pledged new resources to bolster food security, eradicate disease, ensure access to water and sanitation and manage the financial crisis.  These commitments are not a matter of charity, but an obligation in the pursuit of human rights for all.  If we fail to keep our promise on the MDGs, we create the conditions for greater misery and global insecurity," the UN boss went on.

The UN boss released a similar statement on the first observance of the International Day of Rural Women on October 15, 2008. ''I welcome the opportunity to pay tribute to the valuable contributions made by rural women, including indigenous women, to agriculture and development,'' he solemnly stated.

He went on to say that the first International Day of Rural Women is especially timely, as it comes in the midst of a world food crisis and global financial turmoil, and on the eve of World Food Day.

In acknowledging the outstanding contribution of rural women in developmental efforts, he noted that they produce more than half of the world's food and provide immeasurable support to local communities.  But he was quick to say that despite the life-saving role they play, these women are seldom adequately appreciated or compensated. ''Women farmers in developing countries do most of the agricultural work, but they own just a tiny fraction of the land.  Disproportionately poor and illiterate, they are rarely included in decision-making that affects their circumstances,'' he said.

To remedy this situation, he outlined that the UN mission is to foster a world where the woman who farms is also a woman with educational opportunities, political access, and a voice at the negotiating table.  ''A woman with a market environment that favours a fair return on her investments of equipment, seeds and labour.  A woman who benefits from the land, credit and new technologies that will increase production,'' he emphasised.

He urged all countries to seize the opportunity they will have next month at the Conference on Financing for Development in Doha to put the needs of rural women at the top of the global agenda.  ''By making women active partners in addressing the world's pressing food crisis, we can do much more than solve the immediate problem; we can pave the way for a more secure global future,''  he concluded.