United Nations Radio

The Millennium Development Goals Report 2008 provides hard evidence on what UN member States have done well, and what more needs to be done if the international community is to reach the goals by 2015.

The document presents the most comprehensive global assessment of progress to date, based on data provided by a large number of international organizations within and outside the United Nations system.

It shows that developing countries are devoting more resources to education and health, thanks to reduced external debt servicing, fresh assistance and new financing from private foundations.

The Secretary-General says primary school enrolment is rising, and we've seen progress on health and gender equality.

And according to data from the World Bank, the proportion of people living in extreme poverty is expected to decline by half by 2015.

Secretary-General Ban says that too, is a major accomplishment.

"But progress is largely concentrated in Asia. Until recently, sub-Saharan Africa was losing ground in the fight against extreme poverty. Investment in agriculture is critical. Despite the challenges, there are enough successes to prove that most of the Goals are reachable in all countries."

Secretary-General Ban says in most cases, we already know what needs to be done, and how. What is needed now he adds is an aggressive push to get the world on track.

He says he's looking for intensified action from a new and broader coalition of partners: governments, NGOs, faith groups, the private sector and others.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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