The Millennium Development Goals
Adopted by world leaders in 2000 and set to be achieved by 2015, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are a commitment by the United Nations and 192 countries to establish peace and a healthy global economy by focusing on major issues like poverty, children’s health, empowerment of women and girls, sustainable environment, disease, and development. Tailored by each country to suit specific development needs, the MDGs provide a framework for the entire international community to work together towards a common end – making sure that human development reaches everyone, everywhere. If these goals are achieved, world poverty will be cut by half, tens of millions of lives will be saved, and billions more people will benefit from the richer opportunities that development provides.
Below is a list of the eight globally endorsed United Nations MDGs, and their individual targets:
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
