What are Millennium Development Goals?
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) provide a clear agenda to improve the lives of the world’s poor. First laid out in the UN Millennium Declaration, they were approved by 189 governments in September 2000, in one of the biggest gatherings of world leaders. The eight goals provide a roadmap for development, setting out targets to be achieved by 2015, with 1990 as a baseline. Although ambitious, the MDGs are feasible, as well as mutually reinforcing. Seven goals address issues needing urgent attention in developing countries—poverty, hunger, primary education, gender equality, child and maternal mortality, HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, sanitation, water supply and the environment. Health is a top priority. Three goals relate directly to health. Three others also relate indirectly to health. One other goal recognises the role of developed nations and addresses aid, debt relief, technology transfer and global partnerships. Some countries will need development assistance to meet the
