Thank you for highlighting the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals ("U.N. urging nations to accelerate anti-poverty work," July 1). The goals are an unprecedented effort to move the needle on extreme poverty. One positive action toward this effort: 55 governments created "Call to Action on Child Survival," a blueprint for ending 19,000 daily preventable child deaths by 2035. In addition, Dr. Jim Yong Kim set World Bank targets for ending extreme poverty by 2030.

The United States is the leading donor to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. It's not just the right thing to do; it's the smart thing to do. Supporting basic health care and access to treatment contributes to the development of more peaceful and stable nations. In turn, the United States gains additional allies and international trading partners.

DIANE TRAN, St. Paul