World leaders call for active response to challenges in economic development

BEIJING. January 2. KAZINFORM Some world leaders, in their New Year addresses, have called for active response to challenges in economic development amid the ongoing global financial turmoil.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned that the year of 2009 will be tough for Britons as the country is being bogged down by the financial crisis, but he voiced optimism on his people's strength. "This coming year won't be easy, but I am determined that this government will be the rock of stability and fairness on which the British people can depend," Brown said in his traditional New Year message. Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso said his government will try its utmost to address the uncertainties in the current economic situation and worries among people over their livelihood. In his New Year's speech, Aso vowed to adopt "appropriate measures" to lead Japan out of the global recession. "Japan will be the first country in the world to climb out of this recession," he said, vowing to place priority on tackling the worsening economy. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Russia had gone through trying times in 2008, when the global financial crisis hit the country hard, adding that Russians had shown "confidence and dignity" in dealing with the challenges. In a televised address, Medvedev said the government would help the Russian people cope with whatever difficulties they face this year as the country suffers from the financial turmoil. Finnish President Tarja Halonen said challenges sprang from the biggest financial crisis in 80 years highlighted the significance of social responsibilities. She stressed the urgency to adopt effective policies in education, employment and other social sectors while implementing an active economic policy. In Oslo, Norwegian King Harald V said the world has got bogged down in a grave situation as the financial crisis unfolds and countries need to adjust themselves to incoming changes. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said the world countries will face more challenges in 2009 as the ongoing global financial shock broadens and widens. He said the Kazakh government has instituted a series of policies to stem the fallout from the financial shock that began in the United States but quickly spread all over the world. Hungarian President Solyom Laszlo said the year of 2009 is likely to be one of uncertainty because the global financial crisis has hit his country hard. Solyom urged Hungarians to act responsibly and show solidarity during the economic hard times in order to ride out the crisis. Cote d'Ivoire's President Laurent Gbagbo said that in 2009, his country is still facing such challenges as the organizational work of general elections, economic development and employment promotion. He called for national unity in Cote d'Ivoire to shake off the crisis as early as possible and realize lasting peace in the nation. Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki said food provision, employment and transforming Kenya into a regional economic powerhouse will be his government's priority in the new year. In his new year message, Kibaki reassured that the government is deeply concerned about the welfare of every Kenyan and will do everything possible to address their anxieties. Polish President Lech Kaczynski said that Poland had made great progress in science, technology, economy and agriculture last year thanks to the efforts of all Polish people. Kaczynski said Poland will face many challenges in 2009 caused by the global financial crisis, but he expressed his belief that the Polish people are capable of strengthening the country's position in Europe and the world at large, Kazinform cites Xinhuanet.