The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight goals to be achieved by 2015 that respond to the world's main development challenges. The MDGs are drawn from the actions and targets contained in the Millennium Declaration that was adopted by 189 nations-and signed by 147 heads of state and governments during the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000.
In September 2005 the South African Government released its first national MDG Report. The Report gives a positive view of development progress in South Africa and reflects the Government's confidence that it has the capacity to meet its MDG commitments by 2015. The MDG Report builds on work done for the preparation of the Ten Year Review, and represents a comprehensive overview of national and sectoral development activities.
Role of UNDP UNDP’s role is primarily supportive and guided by the UN Core Strategy on MDGs: Advocacy: Supporting advocacy for the MDGs and working with stakeholders to mobilize commitments and build capabilities on the MDGs; Analysis: Researching and sharing best strategies on MDGs via innovative practices, policy and institutional reforms, means of policy implementation, and evaluation of financing options; Monitoring: Helping countries report advancement towards the MDGs and track progress; Operational activities: Support governments to tailor MDGs to local circumstances and challenges; address key constraints to progress on the MDGs.
The Millennium Development Goals
The United Nations Millennium Declaration, signed in September 2000, commits member states to the following Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are:
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
The eight MDGs break down into 21 quantifiable targets that are measured by 60 indicators.
"Looking ahead to 2015 and beyond, there is no question that we can achieve the overarching goal: we can put an end to poverty. In almost all instances, experience has demonstrated the validity of earlier agreements on the way forward; in other words, we know what to do. But it requires an unswerving, collective, long-term effort." - United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
