Prime Ministers Brown and Stoltenberg, ministers, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
We are here today because of our determination to keep the promises set out in the Millennium Declaration and its goals.
These goals represent the most ambitious commitment ever made by the international community.
We are here because of deep concern about progress in reaching the health-related goals.
These are the goals that make the most immediate life-and-death difference for so many millions of people.
Midway in the countdown to 2015, our actions must have a more direct – and measurable – impact on health.
What gets measured gets done.
This initiative promises to be a catalyst.
It proposes a revised approach that is lean, streamlined, and efficient.
Above all, it focuses on what we now know are the biggest impediments to success.
It is not lack of cash or commitment, or lack of good tools to get the job done.
The biggest bottlenecks are inadequate systems for delivering these powerful tools, and ineffective aid.
Without explicit support, health systems will not be able to reach the poor, with essential interventions, on an adequate scale, in time.
I am speaking on behalf of the major agencies involved in improving health.
We share the urgency and the need for emergency action.
We fully support the direction of this action.
It is country-led and outcome-driven. It builds on past and ongoing efforts.
We endorse the underlying principles of shared responsibility and mutual accountability.
Jointly, we will provide technical assistance and financing to countries to improve health systems.
We will support robust systems to measure outcomes.
We will use the comparative advantages and strengths of each agency in a coordinated way, with clearly defined roles for reaching shared targets.
This is our unwavering commitment, both to the health-related goals and to working with countries in a new, more efficient way.
We look forward to pursing these objectives together with the global health community, all development partners, and all civil society partners.
Finally, we reaffirm our determination to free vast populations from preventable risks and dangers to health, and in so doing, to free them to realize their human potential.