On October 17, International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Victor Yushchenko said: “At the Millennium Summit of 2000, Ukraine, like most of the countries of the world, signed the Millennium Declaration. This document is aimed at halving the proportion of the world’s poorest people by 2015.”

According to the President`s press-office, the President said the Ukrainian government had taken several steps to eradicate poverty in the past two years. The creation of jobs has boosted employment, with many social programs started and real incomes of the people growing rapidly, he said.  

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However, every fourth citizen of Ukraine still lives in extreme poverty, so the state must introduce social reforms, pension reforms in particular, and develop efficient social aid mechanisms, he added. 

Mr. Yushchenko said it was incumbent on the government to help those who cannot afford to pay their utility bills.

He declared that the eradication of poverty was one of the nation’s biggest challenges. He believes the issue can be resolved if businesspeople start more corporate social responsibility programs, investing in the social sector.

“The whole world observes this international day, following the ‘together against poverty’ slogan. I am sure together we will worthily face these difficult challenges and prevent the spread of poverty,” he said.