Stronger efforts needed to achieve MDG: United Nations

4072013

Stronger efforts needed to achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDG): United Nations

Globally the proportion of people living in extreme poverty has been halved. Many countries across all regions have shown remarkable progress in reducing the proportion of slum dwellers in their cities, with large countries such as China , India and Indonesia driving this regional and global trend.

Snapshot of the report titled ‘The Millennium Development Goals Report 2013’ by United Nations

Globally the proportion of people living in extreme poverty has been halved—Poverty rates have been halved, and about 700 million fewer people lived in conditions of extreme poverty in 2010 than in 1990. The economic and financial crisis has widened the global jobs gap by 67 million people. According to the report, the proportion of people living on less than $1.25 a day in developing regions has declined from 47% in 1990 to 22% in 2010. Around the world, abject poverty is found in areas where poor health and lack of education deprive people of productive employment; depleted environmental resources and corruption, conflict and bad governance waste public resources and discourage private investment.

Remarkable gains in fight against Malaria and Tuberculosis–Between 2000 and 2010, mortality rates from Malaria fell by more than 25% globally and about 1.1 million deaths from malaria have been averted over this period. Death rates from tuberculosis at the global level and in several regions are likely to be halved by 2015, compared to 1990 levels. Between 1995 and 2011, a total of 51 million tuberculosis patients were successfully treated saving 20 million lives.

Hunger reduction target is within reach— The proportion of undernourished people worldwide decreased from 23.2% in 1990–1992 to 14.9% in 2010–2012. Given reinvigorated efforts, the target of halving the percentage of people suffering from hunger by 2015 appears to be within reach. Still, one in eight people in the world today remain chronically undernourished.

Proportion of slum dwellers in cities and metropolises of the developing countries are declining– Several countries across all regions have shown remarkable progress in reducing the proportion of urban slum dwellers.. Between 2000 and 2010, over 200 million slum dwellers gained from access to improved water sources, sanitation facilities, durable housing or sufficient living space, thus exceeding the 100 million MDG target.

Developing countries witnessing low debt burden and an improved trade climate–The debt service to export revenue ratio of all developing countries have declined from 12% in 2000 to 3.1% in 2011. Their duty-free market access also improved in 2011, reaching 80% of their exports. The exports of least developed countries benefited the most and average tariffs are also at an all-time low.

Environment Sustainability under severe threat–The growth in global emissions of carbon dioxide continues to accelerate, with emission today being as much as 46% higher than in 1990. Forests continue to be lost at an alarming rate. Overexploitation of marine fish stocks is resulting in diminished yields. More of the earth’s land and marine areas are under protection, but birds, mammals and other species are heading for extinction at an ever faster rate, with declines in both populations and distribution.

Reduction in Mortality Rates to meet the MDG Targets requires accelerated intervention–Mortality rate for children less than 5 years have dropped by 41% from 87 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 51 in 2011. Despite that more progress is needed for two-third reduction in child deaths by 2015. The maternal mortality rate has declined by 47% over the last two decades; however meeting the MDG Target of reducing the ratio by three quarters will require accelerated interventions.

It has been observed that the achievement of the MDGs has been uneven among and within countries. Children from poor and rural households are much more likely to be out of school than their rich and urban counterparts. Hence, stronger efforts are needed to achieve a world of prosperity, equity, freedom, dignity and peace and successful completion of Millennium Development Goals by 2015 remains a global priority and creating a stable foundation for future development action is the need of the hour.

Warm regards,

Dr. S P Sharma
Chief Economist