2 July 2012: The UN Development Programme (UNDP) has launched the 2012 Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Report, highlighting the achievement of the MDGs on poverty, slums and water, while cautioning that sustained commitment is needed to achieve the five remaining Goals. The annual report was released during the high-level segment of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)’s annual session.

In addition to attainment of the three MDGs, progress has been recorded on other Goals, including in HIV/AIDS reduction, educational parity between girls and boys, and overall primary school enrollment rates. But the report notes that achievements have been unequally distributed across and within countries and regions, and persistent inequalities continue to hinder progress toward the remaining Goals, as do gender inequality and violence against women. Further, progress has slowed on some MDGs since the economic crises.

The report notes that a new agenda to continue MDG efforts beyond 2015 is being formulated. The recent successes in achieving three targets, coupled with insufficient progress on other goals and targets, provides experiences for the UN to draw upon in considering future MDG efforts, it says.

Speaking at the opening of the high-level segment, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said this year’s results “represent a tremendous reduction in human suffering and are a clear validation of the approach embodied in the MDGs. But, they are not a reason to relax.” Ban urged attention to MDG 8, on Global Partnership for Development, to attain the remaining MDGs – including to ensure environmental stability – by the 2015 deadline.

The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) produces the MDG report, which annually assesses regional progress towards the MDGs. [Publication: The Millennium Development Goals Report 2012] [MDG 2012 Progress Chart] [UNDP Press Release] [UN Press Release]