Mr Ban Ki-Moon in his foreword of this report stressed the need to strengthen global cooperation and solidarity and to redouble our efforts to reach the MDGs and advance the broader development agenda.He urged the global community ,in view of the global economic crises, not to turn its back on the poor and the vulnerable. It seems that the leaders of the G8 have listened to his advice and pledged some aid like $20 billion especially for food growing in Africa.
This economic crises has slowed and reversed progress on some of the eight goals as commented in the report.
Poverty: It was seen that from 1990 to 2005, the number of people living on less than $ 1.25 a day, decreased from1.8 billion to 1.4 billion,but due to the crises ,in 2009 this will be increased to an estimated 55million to 90 million people.This was not anticipated.
Hunger: The earlier trend of decrease in hunger was reversed in 2008 due to high food prices and even falling food prices in 2008 have not been translated into benefit for the poor.
Children: These are the most vulnerable and most in developing regions are underweight for their age, stunting their prospects for survival,growth and long term development.This report emphasises the fact that the child nutrition target will not be achieved and will be eroded by higher food prices and economic turmoil.
Gender Equality and Unemployment: The unemployment in 2009 could reach 6.1 to 7.0 % for men and 6.5 to 7.4% for womenWomen also emain trapped in underpaid and insecure jobs.
Maternal Health and Mortality: This area has made least progress so so far.The reduction in donor funding will further aggravate the situation.
Export Revenues: This has decreased and this will further deteriorate.
Environment: The measures to achieve environmental goals will not improve and deforestation will continue. Water crises looms large.
The lower level of aid may reverse the gains made so far.
It lists the successes so far as:
- Those living in extreme poverty in developing regions has decreased slightly more than a quarter in 2005 compared to almost half in 1990.
- Major accomplishments were also made in education,where primary education enrolement reached 88% in 2007 especially from 83% in 2000.Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia enrolement increased by 15 percentage points and 11 percentage points respectively from 2000-2007.
- Under five mortality rate declined from12.6 million in 1990 to 9 million in 2007.Key interventions like insectiside treated bed nets to fight malaria ,second chance immunisations to fight measles hav e made a remarkable difference.
- Environmental actions like 97% reduction of consumption of substances that deplete Earth's protective Ozone layer by global actions and cooperation.
- Efforts to improve the living conditions of the urban poor must pick up speed and extend even further.As the developing countries' cities rapidly expand this improvement has to keep pace.
- Preservation of natural resource base such as fisheries, forests ,water must be priority.
