The Millennium Development Goals commit the international community to an expanded vision of development, one that vigorously promotes human development as the key to sustaining social and economic progress in all countries, and recognizes the importance of creating a global partnership for development. The goals have been commonly accepted as a framework for measuring development progress. 1*

In order to encourage national governments to take action, the Secretary General of the United Nations launched the Millennium Development Goals.

Kofi Annan stated clearly: “Progress must be made on a much broader front, otherwise the ringing words of the Declaration will serve only as grim reminders of the human needs neglected and promises unmet”. 2*

He proposed to achieve eight “Millennium Development Goals”:

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

1*-MDGs website http://www.millenniumcampaign.org/
2*-Reference to the Millennium Declaration in the UN Secretary General’s Report to the General Assembly, October 2002.