Mexico, 13 sep (EFE).-the Government of Mexico said today that it is very close to achieving the objectives of the Millennium Development (MDGs) to only four years to expiry of the term, some of which, such as primary education, are already a reality.
In an event held at the official residence of Los Pinos, the owner of Social development, Heriberto Felix, stated that “Mexico is to meet the targets for reduction of extreme poverty”, despite the impact of the international economic crisis and food.
Mexico reduced to 5.3 percent poverty index, which in 1990 stood at 9.3%, which is why “we are little less than a percentage point to meet this target (4.6%)”, he asserted.
In relation to child malnutrition, the commitment was to spend 14 to 7 per cent the proportion of children under five years with low weight and size, a goal that now “we have complied to reach five percent”, stated the Minister.
On the goal of achieving universal primary education, said that in Mexico already “all children age to attend this educational level have assured a place in the school”.
“Mexico has today, on average, 8.7 years of education, above, for example, in Brazil, China and India,” he said at a ceremony in which participated the President Felipe Calderón and the administrator of the programme of the United Nations for development (UNDP) Helen Clark.
Félix also declared accomplished the goal set for 2015 in relation to gender equality, noting that in Mexico because there are “almost” a girl for every child in primary and secondary levels.
“Even in the middle and higher education women outnumber on proportion slightly men”, stated.
In the mortality of children under five years of, mentioned that the probability of dying “is now almost three times less” than that did in 1990, to pass the mortality rate of 47-17 for every thousand children, very close to the goal of 15.7 2015.
The Minister also referred to progress in maternal, indicating that over the past two decades mortality decreased by 40% and health have today 9 of every 10 births attended by personnel trained.
On fighting HIV-AIDS, admitted that it is necessary to “strengthen the actions” to halt its advance, while in the case of malaria and tuberculosis, noted that Mexico “already surpassed the goal raised in both diseases associated with poverty and marginalization”.
Felix also listed the achievements in environmental matters, such as the reforestation of a million and a half hectares, and access to information technologies and communications.
The President Calderón said that his country “is fully committed to meet the Millennium development goals, because they are more active consensus that has humanity to achieve sustainable development across the globe”.
In the Act, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of UNDP in Mexico, Clark stressed his interest to continue working in this country, especially now “which is becoming a new partner for the development of Nations poorest thanks to its new agency for cooperation for development”.
In the framework of his visit to Mexico, the representative of UNDP will relocate to the southern state of Chiapas, where they interview with UN staff, representatives of civil society and indigenous leaders, that he will attend a meeting of State Congress. EFE
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