Millennium Development Goals Report 2014
(Click here to read the full report)
Fourteen years ago, the Millennium Declaration articulated a bold vision and established concrete targets for improving the existence of many and for saving the lives of those threatened by disease and hunger. There has been important progress across all goals, with some targets already having been met well ahead of the December 31st 2015 deadline.
Several MDG targets have been met
• The world has reduced extreme poverty by half
• Efforts in the fight against malaria and tuberculosis have shown results
If the trends continue, the world will reach the MDG targets on malaria and tuberculosis.
• Access to an improved drinking water source became a reality for 2.3 billion people
The target of halving the proportion of people without access to an improved drinking water source was achieved in 2010, five years ahead of schedule.
• Disparities in primary school enrolment between boys and girls are being eliminated in all developing regions
By 2012, all developing regions have achieved, or were close to achieving, gender parity in primary education.
• The political participation of women has continued to increase
• Development assistance rebounded, the trading system stayed favourable for developing countries and their debt burden remained low
• Major trends that threaten environmental sustainability continue, but examples of successful global action exist
• Hunger continues to decline, but immediate additional efforts are needed to reach the MDG target
• Chronic undernutrition among young children declined, but one in four children is still affected
• Child mortality has been almost halved, but more progress is needed
• Much more needs to be done to reduce maternal mortality
• Antiretroviral therapy is saving lives and must be expanded further
• Over a quarter of the world’s population has gained access to improved sanitation since 1990, yet a billion people still resorted to open defecation
• 90 per cent of children in developing regions are attending primary school
The MDGs brought together governments, the international community, civil society and the private sector to achieve concrete goals for development and poverty eradication. Much has been accomplished through the concerted and focused efforts of all, saving and improving the lives of many people, but the agenda remains unfinished. The analysis presented in this report points to the importance of intensifying efforts to meet all MDG targets.
The post-2015 development agenda is slated to carry on the work of the MDGs and integrate the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Continued progress towards the MDGs in the remaining year is essential to provide a solid foundation for the post-2015 development agenda.
Wu Hongbo
Under-Secretary-General for Economic
and Social Affairs
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 