UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon carried his concern for the poor to the G-20 leaders, asking them to take speedy action to ensure that current financial crisis does not deepen the human suffering.
"We cannot allow it to become a reason for neglecting other critical issues: unacceptable levels of poverty and hunger, the food crisis and climate change," Ban said in a letter to the world leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who are in Washington for the G-20 summit.
This will be the first time that the G-20 summit aimed at promoting dialogue between advanced and emerging countries on key issues regarding economic growth and stability of the financial system has been organised at the level of heads of State, as well as the first time that the United Nations Secretary-General has been invited to attend.
The cost of inaction is too great, the UN Secretary General stressed, warning that the "already fragile political and security situation" in many of the hardest-hit countries could take a turn for the worse.
During his discussions with the UN member States, he said, he gleaned some key messages need for "truly global" stimulus package underpinned by "green growth," ensuring access to liquidity for poor nations and curbing protectionism.
The Secretary General also said that part of the stimulus package must come from aid commitments and welcomed the latest International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank initiatives.
Lastly, Ban said in the letter released by the world body said that "inclusivity must be our watch-word on financial reform," backed by a new multilateralism that is "fair, flexible and responsive."
