What's MDGs

(undp.org.cn)
Updated: 2009-08-05 16:08

At the Millennium Summit in September 2000, heads of state and government from 189 countries reached a historic agreement on the Millennium Declaration, giving voice to shared values and an unequivocal commitment to halving world poverty by 2015.

The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (and their 18 targets and 48 indicators) contained therein embody the solemn commitment of all countries to promoting development. They are now an important yardstick of the international community to measure development progress.

The MDGs emphasize shared accountability and reciprocal obligations among developed and developing countries for key development outcomes. In addition, the global MDG effort rests on the premise that participation of every member of society is essential to the attainment of these goals.

Not only is cooperation needed between countries, but campaigns need to mobilize society and bring together different actors of society - governments, private sector, civil society, the general public and the media – to be successful.

The eight goals include:

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