Global: The big letdown - UN summit shortchanges the poor

The events that took place at the UN during the weeks leading up to the UN World Summit in New York were a disgrace - an ugly diplomatic spectacle. The majority of Member States saw their carefully drafted 'Outcome Document' blow up before their eyes, and the entire process of delicate inter-governmental negotiations was held hostage to a small minority pulling in opposite directions. After juggling around with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which are literally a life or death matter for hundreds of millions of people living in extreme poverty, we have now landed up with an insipid declaration that is long on generalities and short on actions.