During the first day of the Global Conference on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), organized in the period of February 27-28 in Bogota, Columbia, the Republic of Moldova has presented progress made by our country in the implementation of MDGs. At the Conference the Government is represented by Mr. Ruslan Codreanu, head of the General Department for Policy Coordination, External Assistance and Central Public Administration Reform within the State Chancellery. The key points of report referred to: reducing child mortality (MDGs 4), improving maternal health (MDGs 5), combating HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (MDGs 6).
2013 Global MDG Conference gathered together about 150 participants from 40 countries - experts and practitioners from political, governmental, academic and civil society environments, UNDP representatives and other UN agencies. Thus, the national and international experts, who play a crucial role in turning the global MDG agenda into a force for human development at national and sub-national levels, exchanged views on MDGs achievement, MDGs breakthroughs and challenges for the next generation, unfinished business of the MDGs and the emerging agenda beyond 2015, as well as the necessary actions to accelerate MDGs progress in the little more than 1000 days remaining to the 2015 target date.
„The more the world can achieve on the MDGs, the more it will be possible to build confidence and support for a bold and ambitious post-2015 development agenda", Ms. Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator noted in her speech. In this context, the UN official mentioned that over 45 countries successfully started the Acceleration Framework of MDGs to tackle the inequalities and to reduce disparities in MDGs progress.
During high-level panel discussions and technical round tables, the participants showcased key initiatives from their countries for accelerating progress, and took stock of lessons learned. The representative of the Republic of Moldova thanked in his speech for the opportunity offered to Moldova Government to share experience in the implementation of the national MDGs agenda, and to learn from other countries the ways of accelerating progress on MDGs. „ Since signing the Millennium Declaration in 2000, the Republic of Moldova, with the development partners' support, has achieved significant progress in implementing the national MDG agenda in such dimensions as human well-being, economy, governance and management of ecosystems. We are also aware that more sustained effort is needed from all relevant stakeholders to achieve the national targets by 2015 - ranging from central and local authorities, civil society, development partners, private sector and each citizen", Ruslan Codreanu stated.
Speaking about the important progress achieved by the Republic of Moldova in MDG implementation, the official presented examples of MDG progress on: MDGs 1- reducing poverty rate, MDGs 4 - reducing child mortality, MDGs 5 - improving maternal health and MDGs 6 - combating HIV/AID and tuberculosis.
Reducing child mortality was possible, first of all, due to the Government's clear vision and wish to make progress in this area, and due to a whole set of measures, such as regionalizing emergency medical care services and paediatric intensive care or implementation of the national system for perinatal healthcare monitoring and supervision. Among the steps that are expected to be taken by the authorities are: the implementation of the National Immunization Programmes and increasing the awareness of the beneficial effects on vaccinating children against measles.
Regarding the improvement of maternal health, Ruslan Codreanu noted that this goal should be achieved by 2015, under the condition that the financial resources for health services for mothers and their children to be ensured. In addition, the official mentioned that a set of long-term measures designed to substantially improve reproductive and maternal health in our country was set out in the 2005-2015 National Strategy for Reproductive Health.
More difficult situation is in the area of combating HIV/SIDA and tuberculosis. However, Ruslan Codreanu was convinced that it is possible to overcome these difficulties. The proof that the Government pays a special attention to combating HIV/AID and tuberculosis is the fact that the Goal no.6 was aimed at MDG Acceleration Framework, action performed in 2010-2011 with the UNDP and the WHO support, in partnership with the Ministry of Health. Its purpose was to evaluate MDGs 6 accomplishment and to identify feasible acceleration solutions.
The analysis of deficiencies found out a range of major impediments to progress, such as, in case of combating HIV/AID, the insufficient cooperation between the central public authorities and LPAs; deficiencies on financing HIV National Programme; imperfection of the legal framework regarding the accreditation of NGOs and their subcontracting for providing counselling and information services. Regarding combating tuberculosis, the impediments are related to insufficient endowment of specialized institutions; deficiencies in detection of tuberculosis cases and insufficient motivation of personnel involved in detection and treatment.. „This action has identified a series of feasible solutions for overcoming impediments", Ruslan Codreanu stated. At the same time, he noted that the Republic of Moldova is the first country in the region, which successfully finalized the MDG Acceleration Framework.
In this context, the official mentioned that the MDGs 6 are difficult to accomplish due to an alarming situation with HIV/AID morbidity and increased number of tuberculosis in Transnistria region. Respectively, Ruslan Codreanu reiterated that the Republic of Moldova relies further on the development partners' support in the process of reintegration of the country, including advocacy activities for Transnistria, which will contribute to acceleration of MDGs progress.
The second day of the Conference was dedicated to global development policies beyond 2015. Ruslan Codreanu informed that the Republic of Moldova has launched the public consultations on the priority development objectives, taking into account the national context, and the results of consultations are expected at the beginning of March.
