What are the Millennium Development Goals?

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight goals to be achieved by 2015. They offer a way of responding to -- and evaluating our response to -- some of the many, often closely linked development challenges that the world faces. The MDGs are drawn from the actions and targets contained in the Millennium Declaration, a document which was adopted by 189 nations-and signed by 147 heads of state and governments during the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000.

The 8 MDGs are:

* Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

* Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education

* Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women

* Goal 4: Reduce child mortality

* Goal 5: Improve maternal health

* Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

* Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability

* Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development

The 8 MDGs break down into 18 quantifiable targets that are measured by 48 indicators. You can find these listed in the "The MDGs in More Detail" section of this website.