September 2014: The MDG Gap Task Force released a report evaluating global progress toward Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 8, the Global Partnership for Development. ‘MDG Gap Task Force Report 2014: The State of the Global Partnership for Development’ finds that a number of targets under MDG 8 have been achieved, while progress under others has been slow.

Global achievements called for in MDG 8 include the extension of duty and quota-free access to developing country markets, the availability of debt relief for the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs), and the greater availability and falling costs of telecommunication technologies. The report credits comprehensive policy creation, increased market access, and private sector investment for achieving success in many of these areas.

Though ODA rebounded in 2013 after two years of reduction, the report finds that the developed world is still not meeting the target of US$315 billion, as it is providing only US$135 billion in assistance. US$41 billion of this ODA is going to Least Developed Countries (LDCs), which is roughly 45-60% of the pledged amount. The report also finds gaps in the elimination of trade-restrictive measures, access to affordable essential medicines, and access to internet technologies.

In its recommendations for the post-2015 development agenda, the report calls for a strengthening of the linkages between the Global Partnership and other issue-specific goals. It emphasizes the need for a renewed commitment to the Global Partnership, as well as the formulation of substantive and coherent policies to aid development cooperation.

Created in 2007 by the UN Secretary-General, the MDG Gap Task Force is tasked with evaluating progress on MDG 8. The Task Force is co-chaired by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP). [Publication: The State of the Global Partnership for Development: Executive Summary] [Fact Sheet] [DPI-UNDP-DESA Press Release] [UN Press Release] [Report Launch Webcast]