Thank you, Mr. President.

Today, around one billion people still live in extreme poverty. That is one billion men, women and children around the world who are forced to make difficult daily choices between food, medicine, housing and education. For far too many, water is as much a luxury as a source of life. Education is a privilege. And brighter futures are almost impossible to imagine. Extreme poverty is more than a lack of income and opportunity. It is the denial of basic human dignity.

Mr. President,

The Millennium Development Goals have shown that we have the power to change this reality. In recent years, poverty rates at the global level have been halved. Working together, we are succeeding in doing what the United Nations was created to do – improving the lives of hundreds of millions of people. 

Poverty is multi-dimensional—and must be tackled in a holistic manner. It cuts across every issue we tackle at the UN—from peace and security, to the environment, to gender equality. Fortunately, this means that progress in any one of these areas improves the prospects of emerging from poverty.  But it also means that if we fail to address even one of these issues, our efforts will certainly fall short of what is possible.

Mr. President,

No country – rich or poor – can afford to waste its human resources.  Unemployment is surely the greatest waste of these resources, and generating jobs is the most direct way to combat extreme poverty. 

Societies pay a steep price for high unemployment.   It strains economies and social protection systems, and forces the very young into work instead of attending school.  Youth unemployment poses the most recognizable risk.  With few productive options, criminal activities tempt the young, which has a negative impact on the social fabric. In many countries, the unemployed are so discouraged by their past that they turn to violence to survive, engendering a dangerous vicious cycle.

Providing high-quality, relevant education is a critical factor for improving employment prospects for youth.  It is a long-term investment, but one that ultimately pays.  The World Bank has found that early investment in education increases both urban and rural wages, including agricultural wages.  Governments can also provide career training for those who are ready to enter the labor market, but who lack the skills needed for employment.

Finally, whether in agriculture, business or technology, opportunities must exist to put youth to work in the field for which they are trained.  Too often, education and skills go unused, or skilled workers simply emigrate. If provided with opportunities and a supportive environment, youth around the world can be important drivers of social change, economic development and technological innovation.

Investing in promoting women's employment is also critical. Research shows that when women are economically empowered, entire nations benefit. When women earn an income, they invest heavily in their children's schooling and health, creating a positive ripple effect across communities.

Mr. President,

The Israeli experience shows that human capital is the greatest natural resource.  Israel has a very diverse society, and we understand both the challenges and the importance of giving each person the opportunity to contribute according to their abilities, regardless of background.  Israel has a practical approach to employment and empowerment: use proven strategies and technical, hands-on training to provide people with decent work.  One initiative provides specialized “second-chance” university preparatory courses to disadvantaged populations, including Israeli-Arabs, Ethiopian immigrants, persons with disabilities and youth who have grown up in the child welfare system.

Another example is a programme empowering members of the ultra-Orthodox and the Arab sectors of Israeli society to climb the income ladder by providing technological training to more than 100,000 people each year.

Women are also a special focus of our national employment strategies. The Israeli economic development fund Koret, in partnership with microloan giant KIVA, helps Bedouin and Arab Israeli women set up their own micro-enterprises.

Israel considers entrepreneurs to be the backbones of any economy. Israel’s foreign assistance programme focuses on teaching entrepreneurship skills, as well as vocational training.  From intensive courses in aquaculture to courses in micro- and small-business enterprise development, MASHAV – Israel's International Development Cooperation Agency –  has been working to sustainably reduce poverty around the world for over half a century.

In Latin America and the Caribbean region, Israel’s Mount Carmel International Training Center has teamed with the Young American Business Trust of the Organization of American States to train young people in skills for entrepreneurship as a self-help tool.  Since it was launched in 2000, the project has spread to 29 countries and has reached 23,000 trainees, most of whom are students or recent university graduates.  This programme is now being replicated in Africa.

Israel's activities around the globe are guided by the belief that “training of trainers" and other capacity-building activities is the best way to achieve maximum impact in development programmes.  Education leads to empowerment – the surest guarantee of sustainable growth.

Mr. President,

We have the proof that the international community, acting in concert, can eradicate poverty. We must think boldly and creatively to deliver on this goal. And finally, if we are to realize a life of dignity for all, we must hear the voices and heed the calls of the most marginalized in our societies. Many of the solutions to poverty challenges can be found within the affected communities. Giving them voice and empowering them to solve the problems they face on a daily basis will be critical to achieving our goals, and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Thank you.