The World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland has called for renewed commitment to the U.N. Millennium Development Goals, MGDs, aimed at halving extreme poverty, boosting health and education and further empowering women across the developing world by 2015.
在瑞士达沃斯举行的世界经济论坛年会呼吁各国对联合国千年发展目标做出新的承诺。这一发展目标是在2015年前，实现极端贫困人口减半，并促进卫生和教育，给予发展中国家妇女更多的权利。
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says the world needs to be aware that the development goals are not being met.
英国首相布朗说，世界应该明白，这一发展目标尚未实现。
"There is a development and poverty emergency around the world," he said. "If we do not act, we will have no opportunity to reach the millennium development goals by 2015. We must summon everyone who is concerned about this."
他说：“全球都面临着发展和削减贫困的迫切性。如果我们不行动起来，我们就没有机会在2015年之前实现千年发展目标。我们必须调动所有关注这个问题的力量。”
Mr. Brown said there is a particular shortfall in achieving universal primary education as present trends suggest that goal may not be reached for 100 years. He said the goal of reducing infant mortality by 75 percent may not be reached until 2050.
布朗说，很多国家在普及初级教育方面尤其做得不够，因为从目前的发展趋势看，这个目标恐怕在100年后都实现不了。他说，在2050年之前降低婴儿死亡率75%的目标也难以实现。
Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua said Africa suffers from a lack of adequate infrastructure in health, transport and education. He promised to step up efforts to meet development goals.
尼日利亚总统奥马鲁.亚拉杜瓦说，非洲的医疗、运输和教育基础设施严重不足。他承诺将加快努力，达到发展目标。
"We are going to apply ourselves and deploy resources to target the particular objectives of the MDGs. And we'll work day and night with renewed effort and renewed commitment," he said.
他说：“我们将行动起来，调动资源，去实现千年发展目标中的一些特定目标。我们将夜以继日地工作，做出新的努力和承诺。”
The Davos event, which draws heads of state, cabinet ministers and corporate chiefs, has long been criticized for trumpeting big ideas on big issues in public, while the leaders actually expend most of their energy on backroom deals.
达沃斯论坛吸引了来自世界很多国家的国家元首、政府部长和公司主管。可是在世界经济论坛侈谈大目标的同时，与会各界领袖却大多在做幕后交易。这种情况引起外界的批评。
Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates, a perennial Davos participant, says corporations have a large role to play in eliminating poverty.
微软公司创始人和慈善家比尔.盖茨几乎每年都参加世界经济论坛。他在达沃斯说，企业在消除贫困方面能发挥重要作用。
His foundation announced a $300 million grant to assist small farmers in developing countries.
盖茨的基金会宣布将出资3亿美元，用来帮助发展中国家的小户农民。
Gates applauded the forum's call for action, saying it is important to have a report card on the progress made since world leaders signed on to the goals in 2000.
茨赞成论坛发出的有关采取行动的呼吁。他说，很重要的一点是要拿出一张成绩单来，评估一下2000年世界领导人签署发展目标以来所取得的进展。
"We are drawing in more people," he said. "We can make more progress. And it is important to be part of this endeavor. It is the most important work in the world."
他说：“我们吸引的人更多了，我们能取得更多的进展。为达到这一目标各尽所能，至关重要。这是世界上最重要的工作。”
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon endorsed the Forum's call to action and said the U.N. will call leaders together in September to assess progress and make suggestions on what more must be done.
联合国秘书长潘基文支持世界经济论坛发出的行动起来的呼吁。他说，联合国今年9月将邀请各国领导人评估目前取得的进展，并提出今后要重点发展的建议。 |