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“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
Today, we wrap up our MDG Monday series with a look at Millennium Development Goal 8, which aims to promote cooperation among countries and among sectors to advance development.
Here are the targets it sets:
Millennium Development Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development
Target 8.A: Develop further an open, rule-based, predictable, non-discriminatory trading and financial system.
Target 8.B: Address the special needs of least developed countries.
Target 8.C: Address the special needs of landlocked developing countries and small island developing States.
Target 8.D: Deal comprehensively with the debt problems of developing countries.
Target 8.E: In cooperation with pharmaceutical companies, provide access to affordable essential drugs in developing countries.
Target 8.F: In cooperation with the private sector, make available benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications.
How are we doing?
- According to a recent UN report on the MDGs, official development assistance to developing countries reached its highest-ever level last year, although aid has shifted away from the poorest countries in the world.
- The debt burden of developing countries has significantly dropped since 2000, although further progress has stalled in recent years.
- Technology use continues to grow: By the end of 2014, almost 40% of the population will be online and there will be nearly 7 billion mobile subscriptions.
On a broader scale, innovative partnerships are helping address some of the toughest global challenges. For example, the UN Secretary-General’s Every Woman Every Child movement has mobilized hundreds of partners – from governments to businesses to non-governmental groups – to improve the health of women and children. Working under a common framework, partners bring their respective strengths to the table, committing resources, expertise, policy changes, and other actions.
Cooperation and collaboration will be critical to continued progress over the next 507 days until the target date for the MDGs.
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