Millennium development goals

Millennium Development Goals

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were eight international development goals that were established following the Millennium Summit of the United Nations in 2000, following the adoption of the United Nations Millennium Declaration. All 191 United Nations member states, and at least 22 international organizations, committed to help achieve the following Millennium Development Goals by 2015:

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger 2. Achieve universal primary education 3. Promote gender equality and empower women 4. Reduce child mortality 5. Improve maternal health 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases 7. Ensure environmental sustainability 8. Develop a global partnership for development

Background

The MDGs were derived from earlier international development targets, and were officially established at the Millennium Summit in 2000, where all world leaders present adopted the United Nations Millennium Declaration. The goals were intended to galvanize efforts to meet the needs of the world's poorest.

Goals and Targets

Each goal had specific targets and indicators to measure progress. For example, Goal 1 aimed to halve the proportion of people living on less than $1.25 a day and achieve full and productive employment for all, including women and young people.

Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger

The target was to halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people whose income is less than $1.25 a day. It also aimed to achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women and young people.

Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education

The target was to ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, would be able to complete a full course of primary schooling.

Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women

The target was to eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and in all levels of education no later than 2015.

Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality

The target was to reduce by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate.

Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health

The target was to reduce by three-quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio.

Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Other Diseases

The target was to halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2015, and to achieve universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS for all those who need it by 2010.

Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability

The target was to integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs and reverse the loss of environmental resources.

Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development

The target was to develop further an open, rule-based, predictable, non-discriminatory trading and financial system.

Achievements and Challenges

The MDGs have been credited with significant achievements, such as reducing the number of people living in extreme poverty by half. However, progress was uneven across regions and countries, and some goals were not fully achieved by the 2015 deadline.

Transition to Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, the MDGs were succeeded by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which expanded on the MDGs and set new targets for 2030.

Also see

• Sustainable Development Goals
• United Nations Millennium Declaration
• Global Health Initiatives
• Poverty Reduction