“Let us be clear about the costs of missing this opportunity: millions of lives that could have been saved will be lost; many freedoms that could have been secured will be denied; and we shall inhabit a more dangerous and unstable world.”

Global Perspective

MDGs in developing world:

A global comparison of MDG achievement would reveal that Africa's development is far behind the rest of the world. Unless substantial efforts are made by countries in the region and donor countries in the developed world, most will be unable to reach the goals of the Millennium Declaration by the target of 2015. The rest of the developing world shows improved levels of development when compared to Africa; however, large segments of their populations remain in conditions that require sustained efforts to reach the MDGs. After Africa, Asia and Latin America account for the majority of men and women living in extreme poverty and lacking proper access to adequate health care. In order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals in an equitable manner, developing countries must explore the information beyond the statistics. Without addressing their needs, countless human beings will continue to live in conditions of extreme poverty and structural neglect.

  MDGs challenges at the World Summit:

At the 2005 World Summit the United Nations High-Level Plenary Meeting held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from September 14^th through the 16^th. During this time, the world’s leaders renewed their commitment to the Millennium Development Goals and agreed to take action on a range of global challenges. Some of these challenges include:

·    Strong and unambiguous commitment by all governments, in donor and developing nations alike, to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

·    Additional $50 billion a year by 2010 for fighting poverty.

·    Commitment by all developing countries to adopt national plans for achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2006.

·    Agreement to provide immediate support for quick impact initiatives to support anti-malaria efforts, education, and healthcare.

·    Commitment to innovative sources of financing for development, including efforts by groups of countries to implement an International Finance Facility and other initiatives to finance development projects, in particular in the health sector.

·    Agreement to consider additional measures to ensure long-term debt sustainability through increased grant based financing, cancellation of 100% of the official multilateral and bilateral debt of heavily indebted poor countries (HIPCs). Where appropriate, to consider significant debt relief or restructuring for low and middle income developing countries with unsustainable debt burdens that are not part of the HIPC initiative.

·    Commitment to trade liberalization and expeditious work towards implementing the development dimensions of the Doha work program.