About MDGs

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight goals to be achieved by 2015 that respond to the world's main development challenges. The MDGs are drawn from the actions and targets contained in the Millennium Declaration that was adopted by 189 nations-and signed by 147 heads of state and governments during the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000.

The 8 MDGs break down into 21 quantifiable targets that are measured by 60 indicators. Click here for a full list of Goals, Targets and Indicators.

The MDGs:

• synthesise, in a single package, many of the most important commitments made separately at the international conferences and summits of the 1990s
• recognise explicitly the interdependence between growth, poverty reduction and sustainabl e development
• acknowledge that development rests on the foundations of democratic governance, the rule of law, respect for human rights and peace and security
• are based on time-bound and measurable targets accompanied by indicators for monitoring progress and
• bring together, in the eighth Goal, the responsibilities of developing countries with those of developed countries, founded on a global partnership endorsed at the International Conference on Financing for Development in Monterrey, Mexico in 2002, and again at the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development in August 2003.

Implementation of the MDGs

In 2001, in response to the world leaders' request, UN Secretary General presented the Road Map Towards the Implementation of the United Nations Millennium Declaration, an integrated and comprehensive overview of the situation, outlining potential strategies for action designed to meet the goals and commitments of the Millennium Declaration.

The road map has been followed up since then with annual reports. In 2002, the annual report focused on progress made in the prevention of armed conflict and the treatment and prevention of diseases, including HIV/AIDS and Malaria. In 2003, emphasis was placed on strategies for development and strategies for sustainable development. In 2004, it was on bridging the digital divide and curbing transnational crime. Click here to the the UN Secretary General's Reports

In 2005, the Secretary-General prepared the first comprehensive five-yearly report on progress toward achieving the MDGs The report reviews the implementation of decisions taken at the international conferences and special sessions on the least developed countries, progress on HIV/AIDS and financing for development and sustainable development. Click here for additional information on the 2005 Summit.

MDGs 2010 Review: Preparing for the last and crucial leg

“Time is short. We must seize this historic moment to act responsibly and decisively for the common good.” – Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General, United Nations

With only six years until the 2015 deadline to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, nations across the world, including India, will be busy preparing for a high-level meeting in September 2010. The world leaders will meet at this event to review the progress their countries have made towards the MDGs.
The UN General Assembly took a decision in July 2009 to hold such a high-level plenary meeting at the opening of its 65th session in 2010. At the Assembly’s request, the Secretary-General has issued a report setting out a proposed format. The Assembly has encouraged all countries to be represented at this important meeting at the level of Heads of State and Government.
The Millennium Campaign in India will work with its partners to raise pertinent issues with the Government of India as it prepares its Action Plan to be presented at the General Assembly in September.
In the 2009 Millennium Development Goals Report released earlier this year, the Secretary-General noted: "We have made important progress in this effort, and have many successes on which to build. But we have been moving too slowly to meet our goals". The 2010 high-level meeting, he hopes, will not only result in a renewal of existing commitments but also can decisively galvanize coordinated action among all stakeholders and elicit the funding needed to ensure the achievement of the Goals by 2015.