27 September 2010
MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT EXPRESSES OPTIMISM BUT DOUBTS REMAIN
The recently concluded UN Summit on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ended with world leaders adopting a declaration which promised intensified efforts by the UN member states to achieve Millennium Development Goals by 2015, (the declaration can be downloaded here
Leaders expressed confidence that the can be achieved, including in the poorest countries, with renewed commitment, effective implementation and intensified collective action by all member states and other relevant stakeholders,
Progress towards achieving the goals varies. On the positive side the number of people living in extreme poverty globally has been significantly reduced, although not in sub-Saharan Africa, but little or no progress has been made in reducing hunger. There has been progress in providing access to education, in addressing gender inequality, in reducing infant mortality and combating HIV/AIDS and other diseases, but most goals are behind their targets and little or no progress has been reported in some parts of the world. As of 2005, not one region was on track to meet the target of reducing deaths in childbirth by three-quarters. In sub-Saharan Africa there had been almost no progress at all since 1990.
Failure to address climate change means increased loss of bio-diversity, continued environmental damage leading to a loss of livelihoods and the ability for communities to feed themselves, and the inhibition of efforts to provide access to safe drinking water. The number of people without improved sanitation is actually rising.
Pledges on the part of developed nations to provide funding has been greeted with scepticism by many given the failure of many countries to honour previous commitments, and given that very few have so far reached the UN target of allocating 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income as development aid.
For a more detailed report on progress towards achieving the MDG’s click here
Leaders expressed confidence that the can be achieved, including in the poorest countries, with renewed commitment, effective implementation and intensified collective action by all member states and other relevant stakeholders,
Progress towards achieving the goals varies. On the positive side the number of people living in extreme poverty globally has been significantly reduced, although not in sub-Saharan Africa, but little or no progress has been made in reducing hunger. There has been progress in providing access to education, in addressing gender inequality, in reducing infant mortality and combating HIV/AIDS and other diseases, but most goals are behind their targets and little or no progress has been reported in some parts of the world. As of 2005, not one region was on track to meet the target of reducing deaths in childbirth by three-quarters. In sub-Saharan Africa there had been almost no progress at all since 1990.
Failure to address climate change means increased loss of bio-diversity, continued environmental damage leading to a loss of livelihoods and the ability for communities to feed themselves, and the inhibition of efforts to provide access to safe drinking water. The number of people without improved sanitation is actually rising.
Pledges on the part of developed nations to provide funding has been greeted with scepticism by many given the failure of many countries to honour previous commitments, and given that very few have so far reached the UN target of allocating 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income as development aid.
For a more detailed report on progress towards achieving the MDG’s click here
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