The Millennium Development Goals

Switzerland and the Millennium Development Goals
The UN Millennium Development Goals constitute the most important global framework for the reduction of poverty. SDC Director, Martin Dahinden, explains what role the goals have played in Swiss development work since 2000 and will continue to play after 2015.

What are the Millennium Development Goals?
More than a billion people have to survive on less than USD 1.25 per day. The prime aim of the Millennium Development Goals is to halve extreme poverty worldwide by 2015. The eight goals call upon the states to take action and specify measurable steps for the achievement of each goal.

Status of the eight Millennium Development Goals in 2010
What are the challenges? What has been attained and what remains to be done? The Federal Council's Interim Report on the Millennium Development Goals shows how Switzerland is supporting the attainment of the goals. Whether education or water supplies, gender equality or the fight against malaria: Switzerland is making its contribution.

"If the world is faring well, then Switzerland will be faring well too"
How realistic are the Millennium Development Goals? Why is it important for Switzerland too for these goals to be achieved? Anton Stadler, Head of the SDC Division Analysis and Politics answers these and other questions.

 What will happen until 2015 – and beyond?
Despite all of the efforts made, it will only be possible for a small number of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to be fully achieved by 2015. This is no reason to become discouraged but instead should prompt governments, the private sector and global civil society to redouble its efforts over the next five years.