U.N. Chief Urges U.S. Businessmen To Help Fight Global Poverty

May 10, 2008 12:35 a.m. EST

Atlanta, GA (AHN) - The United Nations chief on Friday urged the business community here to help the world body in its efforts to combat global poverty.

The world's poorest need international help from a range of players, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told a gathering at the headquarters of the Coca Cola company, which is a member of the U.N.'s voluntary corporate citizen initiative known as the Global Compact. "The United Nations cannot do it alone. We need you," Ban said.

In arguing for an approach that promotes self-sufficiency, Ban said, "Unless the world's poor become better able to fend for themselves, they - and we - are lost."

Some 5,000 companies in 120 countries, belong to the U.N.'s Global Compact, according to a U.N. press statement.

Addressing those that have not joined the initiative, Ban said, "I urge you to sign up. After all, we are in this together."