New UN Plan to eliminate inequality!

Dr Muhammad Qasim Khan

Dhu al-Hijjah 17, 1436 2015-10-01

Letters To The Editor

by Dr Muhammad Qasim Khan (Letters To The Editor, Crescent International Vol. 44, No. 8, Dhu al-Hijjah, 1436)

Will the UN plan to eliminate poverty and inequality in 15 years work?

As plans go, the UN Plan adopted on September 25 to eradicate global inequality by ensuring “healthy lives” and quality education for all, clean water, sanitation and reliable modern energy by the year 2030 sounds great. It also calls for making cities safe, reduce inequality within and among countries, and promote economic growth and good governance.

The 17-point plan has been described as “ambitious.” There are also 69 specific objectives outlined. They will cost $3.5 trillion to $5 trillion every year until 2030; no small potatoes. Who will foot the bill? One is reminded of the plan the mice devised to bell the cat. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the agenda “embodies the aspirations of people everywhere for lives of peace, security and dignity on a healthy planet.” Great words but the proof would be if the money becomes available. Talk is cheap, but paying for it is not.

The previous plan adopted 15 years ago achieved only one of its objectives—to half global poverty—thanks only due to the fantastic economic growth in China. Good luck to the poor!

Dr Muhammad Qasim Khan

Chicago, Il., US