By Hani Al-Bahrani
(with photos) UNITED NATIONS, Sept 10 (KUNA) -- The sustainable development plan is an "ambitious strategy" on a global scale, with its significance relying on three indispensable tracks; economic, social and humanitarian, Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah said.
"It is disgraceful that a human being could die of starvation in the 21st century," Sheikh Dr. Mohammad told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) and Kuwait TV, in his capacity as member of the Board of the UN High-level Advisory Committee, after a meeting with members of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at the UN Headquarters on Monday.
"The sustainable development plan is inclusive and universal for the 21st century," he said.
Sheikh Dr. Mohammad, also former foreign minister of the State of Kuwait, said "the economic track is foundation of the 2015 UN Development Goals, which includes eradicating poverty and hunger through making economic structures more adaptive." However, he stressed importance of considering "environmental boundaries in account, which could lead to catastrophes due to misuse of technology.
"It is illogical to provide food for humans in one hand and kill them with chemicals and destroying the environment on the other. Sustainable development should be in line with nature." In his speech before the ECOSOC, Sheikh Dr. Mohammad said, "Man cannot live only on bread. A development inconsiderate to human integrity, rights and good governance is meaningless." On his part, Head of the State of Kuwait's Permanent Mission to the United Nations Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi commended the UNGA President, Vuk Jeremic, on holding the meeting, hoping at the same time for the official plan to be adopted by the Assembly in order to contribute in achieving the 2015 MDGs.
The world's economic, social and environmental challenges are ECOSOC's concern. A founding UN Charter body established in 1946, the Council is the place where such issues are discussed and debated, and policy recommendations issued. As such, ECOSOC has broad responsibility for some 70 percent of the human and financial resources of the entire UN system, including 14 specialized agencies, nine 'functional' commissions, and five regional commissions. (end) hb.asa KUNA 100936 Sep 13NNNN