The United Nations on Tuesday expressed its optimism that the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) target is achievable as many improvements have even happened in some poorest countries.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his message on the Special Ministerial Meeting for Millennium Development Goals Review in Asia and the Pacific: Run Up to 2015 scheduled on Aug. 3-4 here, said that however the gains have been uneven across the goals and from country to country.

"To date, the global record is mixed. There have been many important gains, but much remains to be done," he said in a message delivered by Sha Zukang, UN under secretary for Economic and Social Affairs.

Ban said despite the recent food, energy and economic and financial crisis, developing world remain on track to halve poverty from its 1990 level.

"A number of countries have registered major successes in combating hunger, improving school enrollment and child health, expanding access to clean water and HIV treatment, and controlling tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases. These improvements have happened in some of the poorest countries, demonstrating that MDGs are indeed achievable," said Ban.

However, he said, the achievements are not even between countries. And, he said, the recent crisis has made this work harder.

"Progress has been slow in improving maternal health and reducing maternal mortality. There has been insufficient progress on gender equality and the empowerment of women.

"Besides, almost half of the people in the developing world continue to live without access to basic education. Too many people remain jobless or under-employed. And, more attention needs to be given to sustainability and green growth," he said.

According to Ban, the Asia and Pacific region, for its part, has made significant gains, thereby contributing to global success.

Indonesia's Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said that Asia- Pacific's international role is important, contributing a positive contribution to the MDGs target achievement.

"They provide a real contribution and recommendation in achievement of the target in 2015. They will contribute to the poverty alleviation in the world," said Natalegawa.

(Xinhua News Agency August 3, 2010)