Uk & Ireland: Britain "Delighted" About New UN High Level Panel

In response to the UN Secretary-General's appointment of a new High Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, the UK Department for International Development's Secretary of State, Andrew Mitchell, has said:

"Britain is delighted that the UN's High Level Panel has been launched. Given its rich expertise and diversity, it is in a unique position to set out a bold new agenda to eradicate global poverty."

The Prime Minister will work with his two co-chairs and the panellists to lead an inclusive and transparent process which draws on the views and experiences of citizens, businesses, aid agencies and countries across the world.

"This will need to build on the success of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) but also respond to the new global challenges of the 21st century by helping economies and societies to flourish and to free the poorest countries from poverty for good."

In May this year the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, appointed President Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia, President Yudhoyono of Indonesia and Prime Minister David Cameron to chair a High Level Panel on post-Millennium Development Goals. They will lead a process to start identifying a new international framework for development when the current MDGs expire in 2015.

Additional links:

• United Nations Economic and Social Council and Millennium Development Goals and post-2015 Development Agenda website
• Department for International Development site