Partners'Forum 2010: From Pledges to Action - Inauguration
Quotes of Note
K Sujatha Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India, and Co-Chair of the Forum Steering Committee
“For many present here, the past few months have been defining moments. Never before have we witnessed such support for women’s right to survive and reach full potential.”
Dr Margaret Chan, Director General WHO
“ We face an unprecedented opportunity to save millions of lives. WHO is developing a structure for measuring results, as requested by the Secretary General....A harmonized system for oversight is critically needed.”
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
“I wish the Partners a productive forum: We understand that piecemeal approaches lead to piecemeal results. We can do better than that. I look to the Partners’ Forum to help lead the way. Please help me in implementing this Global Strategy local and globally....it is time to turn the tide, right a historic wrong and deliver for the health of every women and every child. “
H.E. Ghulam Nabi Azad, Minister of Health & Family Welfare, India
“For ensuring a rapid reduction in maternal and child mortality we have identified 250 backward and inaccessible districts accounting for one third of the population, but 70% of infant and maternal mortality....with funds for an outlay of over 150 million dollars, to be implemented in the next year. I believe India is the first country to have such a costed plan aimed to achieve MDg 4 and 5. “
H.E. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of India
“It is my great pleasure to inaugurate and welcome all delegates to this international Conclave on 2010 Partners’ Forum..... I am happy to note the presence of the diverse stakeholders of womens and children’s health in the audience. Changes in our societies are not possible without the wider commitment and action of all stakeholders. With only five years left until the 2015 deadline to achieve the Millennium development Goals, there is an even greater need to give impetus to the endeavours to translate pledges into real, time-bound actions that would substantially improve the survival and health of women and children. The global health community must bring to this task, concerted will and commitment. I wish success to this concave and hope that its deliberations will contribute to proactive action. Jai Hind!”
Dr Julio Frenk, Chair of PMNCH
In his Welcome Message to participants, Dr Julio Frenk, Chair of PMNCH pointed to the hope and work ahead: “The 2010 Partners' Forum will see us come together to strengthen our resources for accountability, to share the knowledge and networks needed to scale-up models for change, and to deepen our connections across sectors and regions to enhance financing, policies and service delivery.
“Our mission is clear: We must end this important year with a common program of work. This will allow all of us -- from governments to health professionals to civil society to the UN and the donor community and the private sector-- to play our part to consolidate commitments and speed progress towards the Millennium Development Goals.”