UN chief warns of threat of conflicts to development

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday 
warned that ongoing conflicts around the world are 
threatening to undo years of development. 

In his first press conference of 2014, Secretary- 
General Ban addressed a number of global issues 
facing the United Nations including poverty 
eradication and action on climate change. 
He also highlighted three countries he is particularly 
concerned about. 
"The situations in Syria, South Sudan and the 
Central African Republic have gone from bad to 
worse. These are avoidable tragedies in which 
millions of civilians are paying an unconscionable 
price. I am especially alarmed by the spread of 
sectarian animosity, and by the dangerous regional 
and global spillover effects. Years of development 
are at stake. A generation of young people is at 
risk." (29″) 
The UN Secretary-General said 2014 will be crucial 
for the Millennium Development Goals as the 2015 
deadline draws near. 
He added that there is a need for clear progress on 
the post-2015 development agenda, and for 
finances to implement the sustainable development 
goals.