MDGs: Proof that a planned approach can work

Many were those who derided the five-year plans as being ineffective, inefficient and downright undemocratic. However, the world's response to the Millennium Development Goals and the tremendous strides which have been taken are proof that a planned approach to development can work, does bear fruit and provides a platform for teamwork.

The Millennium Development Goals were set in the United Nations Summit in the year 2000, providing areas earmarked for urgent improvement: poverty alleviation, education, gender equality, child and maternal health, environmental stability, HIV/AIDS and malaria reduction, and a global partnership for development.

The Millennium Development Goals Report 2013, the latest UN report measuring progress on reaching these goals, un.org/millenniumgoals, shows that great strides have been taking in meeting the challenge of fulfilling the anti-poverty targets by the 2015 deadline. While some of the goals are still unmet, the report declares that they are still attainable.

In the foreword of the report, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon states: "In more than a decade of experience in working towards the MDGs, we have learned that focused global development efforts can make a difference. Now is the time to step up our efforts to build a more just, secure and sustainable future for all."

The goals that have already been reached are, namely, halving the number of people living in extreme poverty and giving over two billion people access to improved sources of potable water. Health targets are close to the goals set in 2000, including the reduction of mortality rates from malaria and tuberculosis and reducing HIV infections. Mortality rates for malaria fell by over a quarter between 2000 and 2010 (resulting in averting over one million deaths) and 20 million lives were saved by treating 51 tuberculosis patients between 1995 and 2011. Concerning HIV infections, new infections are showing declining rates and 8 million of the 34 people living with HIV/AIDS are receiving antiretroviral treatment.

Between 2000 and 2010, more than 200 million slum dwellers were provided with improved sources of drinking water, sanitation, durable housing or improved living space (the target was 100 million people).

The number of undernourished people has also been dramatically reduced, as has the number of slum dwellers in cities.

However, in a world in which expenditure on weapons to kill people has reached one point even trillion dollars (one thousand seven hundred billion USD), whereas the entire UN network of agencies spends some 30 billion, there is more to do.

"Redoubled efforts are urgently needed, particularly in regions most behind to jumpstart advancement and achieve maximum gains. The world community should take pride in its accomplishments thus far, while building on existing momentum to reach as many goals as possible by 2015 and to realize gains for all," states the report.

The world has fallen short of its pledges on maternal health, access to universal education, sanitation and gender parity, while achieving environmental sustainability is described as being "under severe threat". CO2 emissions continue to skyrocket, with emission in 2013 46% higher than in 2000.

Forests are being devastated at "an alarming rate", fish stocks are overexploited "birds, mammals and other species are heading for extinction at an ever faster rate, with declines in both populations and distribution".

On top of this, the global economic crisis has left millions of people without work, with endemic unemployment rising, youth unemployment reaching 40% in some countries and the result has been a reduction in much-needed development aid.

However, looking on the bright side, the report does illustrate how much humankind can do if we decide to work together, instead of killing each other in wars.

Should this not be the Goal of the 21^st Century?

Timothy Bancroft-Hinchey

Pravda.Ru