Tracking the MDGs
The Millennium Development Goals were derived from the United Nations Millennium Declaration, adopted by 189 nations in 2000. Most of the goals and targets were set to be achieved by the year 2015 on the basis of the global situation during the 1990s. It was during that decade that a number of global conferences had taken place and the main objectives of the development agenda had been defined. The baseline for the assessment of progress is therefore 1990 for most of the MDG targets. For most of the indicators, 2004 is the last year for which comprehensive data are available.
Being well informed on the progress achieved since 1990 is crucial for the national governments and their development partners to implement targeted strategies to reach the 2015 goals.
At the global level, the Millennium Development Goals Reports contain the latest and most comprehensive figures available through improved data collection and monitoring worldwide. Similar data will be collected and presented each year until 2015, the target date for the Millennium Development Goals, in an effort to give further direction and focus to international cooperation and national action.
At the regional level, the progress reports produced by UNESCAP, together with UNDP and ADB, intend to provide government policy makers and other development stakeholders with the most comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the region's achievements towards the MDGs. They also offer a range of policy options for improving the region's prospects for meeting the goals.
At the national level, the National MDG Reports measure the progress towards the MDGs in a country. These reports highlight the policies and strategies implemented, the progress made, but also the difficulties encountered towards the achievements of the MDGs.
Latest Releases:
 | The Millennium Development Goals: Progress in Asia and the Pacific 2007 The Millennium Development Goals: Progress in Asia and the Pacific 2007 report is the latest in the Asia-Pacific MDG Study Series under the tripartite initiative between the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Asian Development Bank (ADB), and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This report is a midpoint review of the MDG progress in this region, with a special focus on countries and groups of people within countries that are "left behind" in achieving the goals. |
 | We are now at the midpoint between the adoption of the MDGs and the 2015 target date. So far, our collective record is mixed. The results presented in this report suggest that there have been some gains, and that success is still possible in most parts of the world. |
 | This report shows where we stand in 2006 in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. The challenges the Goals represent are staggering. But there are clear signs of hope. |
 | The Millennium Development Goals: Progress in Asia and the Pacific 2006 This report is the latest update on the progress towards MDGs in Asia and the Pacific. By zooming in on specific indicators, the report highlights the region's achievements and exposes issues on which much work remains to be done. |
 | Millennium Development Goals Maldives Country Report 2005 This report is encouraging. It shows that the Maldives has already achieved the goal of halving extreme poverty and providing universal primary education. The country is also on course to reducing child mortality and improving maternal health. However, the remaining challenges of achieving environmental sustainability and gender equality can only be met with innovative and effective policies. |
 | Millennium Development Goals Progress Report 2005 Bhutan The MDG Report 2005 reveals that Bhutan continues to make significant and sustained progress in achieving the MDGs. However, there remain considerable challenging concerns for the country that could possibly impede sustained future progress towards the complete attainment of the MDGs by 2015. |
Global MDG Progress Reports
 | We are now at the midpoint between the adoption of the MDGs and the 2015 target date. So far, our collective record is mixed. The results presented in this report suggest that there have been some gains, and that success is still possible in most parts of the world. But they also point to how much remains to be done. There is a clear need for political leaders to take urgent and concerted action, or many millions of people will not realize the basic promises of the MDGs in their lives. The MDGs are still achievable if we act now. This will require inclusive sound governance, increased public investment economic growth, enhanced productive capacity, and the creation of decent work. Success in some countries demonstrates that rapid and large-scale progress towards the MDGs is feasible if we combine strong government leadership, good policies and practical strategies for scaling up public investments in vital areas with adequate financial and technical support from the international community. Links: |
| | MDG Report 2006 This report shows where we stand in 2006 in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. The challenges the Goals represent are staggering. But there are clear signs of hope. The data on the following pages and other evidence suggest that providing every child with a primary school education is within our grasp. The handful of countries in sub-Saharan Africa that are successfully lowering HIV infection rates and expanding treatment demonstrate that the war against AIDS can be won. Step by step, we see that women are gaining in political participation that will one day result in their full equal rights. Developed countries have confirmed their commitment to the Goals through increased aid and enhanced debt relief. Collectively, the developed and developing countries mustered the political will to find a solution to the destruction of the ozone layer - a demonstration that we can work together on global environmental challenges. Yet we also know that disparities in progress, both among and within countries, are vast, and that the poorest among us, mostly those in remote rural areas, are being left behind. Much more can and must be done, both by developed countries in increasing their support and by developing countries in using foreign assistance and their own resources more effectively. Links: |
 | MDG Report 2005 The report shows us how much progress has been made in some areas, and how large an effort is needed to meet the Millennium Development Goals in others. If current trends persist, there is a risk that many of the poorest countries will not be able to meet many of them. Considering how far we have come, such a failure would mark a tragically missed opportunity. This report shows that we have the means at hand to ensure that nearly every country can make good on the promises of the Goals. Our challenge is to deploy those means. Links: |
Regional MDG Progress Reports
 | Key Indicators 2007 is the 38th edition that presents a set of comprehensive and social and economic annual data series on the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) developing member countries (DMCs). It is also the 7th edition that has a special chapter examining the measurement aspects of a key issue pervading the region. This year's special chapter is titled "Inequality in Asia". This edition has 38 regional tables that compare indicators of the Millennium Development Goals and other key statistics across the 44 DMCs and 45 country tables, each with 8-year data series on social, economic, and financial statistics. The special chapter and statistical tables are also published on the ADB website (http://www.adb.org/statistics).
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| | The Millennium Development Goals: Progress in Asia and the Pacific 2006 This report is the latest update on the progress towards MDGs in Asia and the Pacific. By zooming in on specific indicators, the report highlights the region's achievements and exposes issues on which much work remains to be done. It provides estimates of populations affected by social and economic poverty in the Asia-Pacific region and compares it to the two other major developing regions, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean. Asia-Pacific countries continue to make progress towards the MDGs, but on present trends many are likely to miss some vital targets, including those for infant mortality, HIV prevalence and access to water and sanitation in urban areas. Even more worryingly, some countries are at risk of failing to reach even two-thirds of the targets.
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 | Second regional MDG report The report entitled "A future within reach: reshaping institutions in a region of disparities to meet the Millennium Development Goals in Asia and the Pacific" is the second in a series of regional reports on the MDGs in the region. It was commissioned through a tripartite initiative of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). As an advocacy document, it is intended to provide government policy makers and other development stakeholders with the most comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the region's progress towards the MDGs. It also offers a range of policy options for improving the region's prospects for meeting the goals, particularly those related to providing basic services on health, education, water and sanitation and to enhancing regional cooperation.
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 | Voices of the Least Developed Countries of Asia and the Pacific - Achieving the MDGs through a Global Partnership This Report is unique in its scope and timeliness. It is a platform for Asia-Pacific LDCs to voice their view. It draws the attention of the international community to the challenges faced by these countries, seeking the support required to ensure that all countries in the region attain their MDGs. The recommendations contained in the Report were endorsed at the inter-governmental level at the Seventh Session of the Special Body on Least Developed and Landlocked Developing Countries, Bangkok, 10-11 May 2005.
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 | First regional MDG report The report on Promoting the Millennium Development Goals in Asia and the Pacific: Meeting the Challenges of Poverty Reduction was launched on 4 June 2003. It is a joint undertaking by UNESCAP and UNDP. The report provides a region-wide assessment of the progress made and obstacles encountered in meeting the MDGs in Asia and the Pacific. With a focus on poverty reduction and related issues, the report explores the prospects for achieving the various targets contained in the MDGs by 2015 and examines the best practices that have contributed towards reducing poverty, combating HIV/AIDS, promoting environmental sustainability, and fostering international cooperation. The report stresses that national commitment, emphasis on good governance, promotion of women's rights and the cooperation of the international community are some of the prerequisites for meeting the MDGs in the region. It sketches the broad contours for policy advocacy in support of the MDGs and delineates areas for international, regional and South-South partnerships.
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National MDG Progress Reports
East and North-East Asia South-East Asia South and South-West Asia North and Central Asia Pacific
Common Country Assessment (CCA) Reports
Tracking the MDGsMDG Analysis
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Access to basic services for the poor: The importance of good governance This Technical Background Paper, part of the Asia-Pacific MDG Study Series, elaborates on the need for good governance to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and eradicate extreme poverty. It argues that achieving the Goals is not simply about money. It is about removing physical, legal, financial, socio-cultural and political barriers to basic services for all, in particular for the poor and disadvantaged groups. This report presents a number of strategies for removing such barriers, including broadening the range of service providers to include the formal and informal private sector, civil society organizations and traditional institutions. Their involvement as service providers, however, requires a review and, where necessary, a revision of the framework that regulates the provision of basic services. This paper embodies the collaborative efforts of the tripartite regional partnership of ESCAP, UNDP and ADB to ensure a common voice on the Millennium Development Goals in the Asia and the Pacific. |
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Achieving the MDGs in Asia: A Case for More Aid?
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Pursuing Gender Equality through the Millennium Development Goals in Asia and the Pacific
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Statistical Tools
 | United Nations Statistics Division This site presents the official data, definitions, methodologies and sources for the 48 indicators to measure progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. The data and analysis are the product of the work of the Inter-agency and Expert Group (IAEG) on MDG Indicators, coordinated by the United Nations Statistics Division. You will also find the official progress reports and documents produced by IAEG. Links to related sites and documents and constantly updated news will keep you up to date with ongoing activities on MDG monitoring. |
 | World Bank Millennium Development Goals Many of the indicators represent work in progress. In some cases observations are sparse and still being compiled, or serve as benchmarks rather than time series; in others they are not yet available or are not yet adequately collected. It is hoped that the monitoring of progress towards the Goals will stimulate more interest in collecting good data. |
 | UNICEF Millennium Development Goals monitoring UNICEF is the lead agency responsible for the global monitoring of the child-related goals of the Millennium Declaration, and the associated Millennium Development Goals and Indicators and is a key partner in the UN's monitoring effort. |
 | Devinfo has been developed under UN partnership and is distributed royalty-free to all end users. Now national statistics offices, UN agencies, donors, NGOs and civil society can prepare reports and presentations using this common database platform. The system has been endorsed by the UN Development Group and is being used in many countries to help track the Millennium Development Goals and other national priorities. DevInfo 5.0 has evolved from a decade of innovations in database systems that support informed decision making and that promote the use of data to advocate for human development. The system organizes data by indicators, time periods and geographic areas with extensive metadata based on international standards. |
 | Inter-American Development Bank (IABD) EQxIS is an informational tool that presents disaggregated data on social indicators for monitoring development goals. Estimations for four points in time starting from 1990 to the latest available year, use microdata from the Household Surveys Databank of the MECOVI Program and definitions of indicators from the United Nations for monitoring the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Indicators are disaggregated by income quintile, gender, urban/rural area and race/ethnicity to help identify discrepancies in the achievement of development goals within different groups of population. Statistical significance and methodological details on definitions, methods of calculation, relevant facts about sources of information and complete access to the programs for calculating the indicators are included throughout the website. |