Guterres: around 800 million people in the world continue to live in extreme poverty
Around 800 million people around the world continue to live in extreme poverty.
This is stated in a message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres to participants in the Global Forum on Poverty Reduction and Development, which has begun its work in Beijing.
"800 million people — women, children and men — continue to live in extreme poverty, from remote rural communities to overcrowded urban slums," the text of the address notes. The document was read by the UN Resident Coordinator in China, Stephen Jackson.
According to the secretary-general of the world organization, the situation of these people is exacerbated by conflicts, climate change, deepening inequality and a heavy debt burden. He called on governments to invest in creating decent jobs, quality education, healthcare, sustainable development of rural areas and universal social protection.
In addition, Guterres pointed to the need to reform the unfair global financial system. He stressed that developing countries need financing and fiscal space for investments in development, as well as deserved support and representation on the international stage.
