Millennium Development Goals

The Millennium Development Goals, or MDGs, were a set of goals adopted by all United Nations member countries in 2000, to be achieved by the year 2015. The MDGs can be seen as a blueprint for improving the lives of those living in extreme poverty, reducing inequality, and tackling climate change. The eight goals 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 goals are intended to be achievable and “measurable,” so everyone can measure the progress towards achieving them. To further help the process, each country sets measurable targets for each goal to be seen as on track for achieving it. Individual countries have used the MDGs as a roadmap for devising an agenda for achieving sustainable development.