The “Millennium Development Goals” (MDGs) are eight development goals adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in its fifty-fifth session with resolution 55/2 “United Nations Millennium Declaration”. The Declaration was adopted on 8 September 2000 by 147 heads of State and government and 189 Member States in total. The leaders recognized that they “have a duty … to all the world’s people, especially the most vulnerable and, in particular, the children of the world, to whom the future belongs”. 

The 8 “Millennium Development Goals” (MDGs), detailed especially in section III “Development and poverty eradication” of the Declaration, were established for the year 2015 against the 1990 baseline: all the 189 Member States pledged to meet the goals. Eighteen targets were set for the 8 goals and 48 social and economic development indicators were developed to monitor progress over the period 1990 through 2015.
 

.

Regional Task Force

A Regional Task Force was established by the Regional Director at the Regional Office in December 2004. The Task Force, which is chaired by the Deputy and Assistant Regional Directors, comprises of regional advisers of relevant, key programme areas. After reviewing country progress towards the health-related MDGs, the Task Force identified 9 countries for intensified support to achieve the MDGs in the Region, namely: Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. For more information on the Regional situation and supporting strategies to achieving the MDGs in the Region, view the brochure on the Millennium Development Goals “Can we achieve the MDGs by 2015?”, developed for the Costa Rica meeting, 11-13 November 2004.

This table lists the 8 MDGs, with the related 18 targets and 48 indicators.  Top
 

United Nations Millennium Declaration

This is the resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly at the 8th plenary meeting of its Fifty-fifth session. It contains values and principles of the Declaration, the development goals, commitment to protecting the environment and children, also through the full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  Top

English
French
Arabic       

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, WHO/EMRO

This site provides information on the Millennium Development Goals, health goals and strategies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, and useful information sources and links. Top
English  

“Are the MDGs feasible?” by Jan Vandemoortele, July 2002

This paper reviews the progress towards the MDGs and challenges, making a strong case for the need for an intensification of efforts if the MDGs are to be achieved. It raises the issue about reporting national “average” progress Vs progress benefiting the poor and the most vulnerable groups. It finally comments on feasibility and affordability issues. A summary in the end captures the main points and suggests actions which may help “bring the world back on track towards the MDGs”. Top
English  

“MDGs: 10 frequently asked questions”, by Jan Vandemoortele, February 2002

This five-page paper is an introductory reading on the MDGs in the form of questions and answers. It briefly reviews the progress towards the MDGs, their affordability and feasibility, describing also what the country MDG reports are and the rationale behind a global MDG campaign.  Top
English

This document was prepared as a collaborative effort of United Nations agencies in the Region, coordinated by ESCWA, for the September 2005 World Summit and the sixtieth session of the General Assembly.  Top
English

The UN Millennium Development Goals, United Nations

This web site provides information on the MDGs and related UN activities and documents. Top
English
French   
Arabic     

The UN Millennium Project

This is the site of the UN Millennium Project, "an independent advisory body commissioned by the Secretary-General to advise the UN on strategies for achieving the MDGs."
English

Key documents and links on MDGs, United Nations Statistics Division

This page makes available a number of key documents on the MDGs and lists links to other UN MDG sites. Many of the documents are available in English, French, Arabic and other languages. Top

English
French   

Millennium Development Goals, WHO HQ

This page describes the importance of the MDGs in health and development. Top 
English   

Millennium Development Goals, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean

This page contains general and Regional information on the MDGs, including Regional strategies. Top  

English   

Millennium Development Goals, United Nations Development Programme

This page on the UNDP website provides information on the MDGs and contains complete country MDG reports which are accessible electronically. Top
English: MDGs
English: MDG country reports

Millennium Development Goals, World Bank

This site, by the World Bank Group, describes past trends and future progress required to achieve the MDGs and provides information and data by goal, region and country. Top
English