CEES Working Paper Series

Janice M. Poling
Center for Energy and Environmental Studies
Department of International Relations
Boston University

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Introduction

At the Millennium Summit in 2000, the United Nations set out eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) covering topics including poverty, education, gender equity, child and maternal health, disease, environmental sustainability, and international cooperation. In contrast to many preceding summits, a defining feature of these goals is the use of quantitative targets and official indicators to help monitor progress. This paper presents a numerical analysis of selected indicators to determine the current status of each goal for all countries. This aggregate-level analysis suggests that the Millennium Development Goals are not the goals of developing countries only; industrialized and developing countries alike have commitments within the MDG framework. The analysis identifies the primary responsibilities of all countries in the achievement of the MDGs and provides context for detailed investigations of the individual goals.

 

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