The SDGs and Targets

To create a new, people-centered, development

agenda, a series of global consultations were
conducted both online and offline. Civil society
organizations, citizens, scientists, academics, and
the private sectors from around the world were all
actively engaged in the process. The SDGs include
17 goals and 169 targets.(6) Indicators are
expected to come out in March 2016. The 17 goals
in abridged form are as follows:

What are Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)?

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were the eight international development goals for the year
2015.

The Millennium Summit of the United Nations in 2000, following the adoption of the United Nations
Millennium Declaration. All 191 United Nations member states at that time, and at least 22
international organizations, committed to helping achieve the Millennium Development Goals by
2015.

MDGs set concrete targets and indicators for poverty reduction in order to achieve the rights set
forth in the Declaration.

MDGs emphasized three areas: human capital, infrastructure and human rights (social, economic and
political), with the intent of increasing living standards.

There were altogether 8 goals with 21 targets and a series of measurable health indicators and
economic indicators for each target.

What are Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the United Nations global development goals.

These are bold universal agreements to end poverty in all its dimensions and craft an equal, just and
secure world.

SDG has 17 goals and 169 targets and it covers multiple aspects of growth and development.

It is also known as a successor of MDGs (Millennium Development Goals)

It was adopted by 193 countries of United Nations General Assembly on 25th September 2015

SDG is officially known as “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

It is built on the principle agreed upon under resolution, “The Future We Want”.

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17 differences between MDGs and SDGs are as follows:
Differences based on
Successor or predecessor
Number of Goals
Number of targets
Number of indicators
Formulation of the goals
Zero goals
Applicability
Pillars for sustainable end of
hunger
Focused areas
Millennium Development Sustainable Development
Goals Goals
MDGs are predecessor of SDGs. SDGs are successor to the
MDGs.
MDGs consists of 8 SDGs consists of 17 goals
goals
MDG had 21 targets SDG has 169 targets
MDG had 60 indicators SDG has 232 indicators
It was produced by a small It was produced by UN Open
group of technical experts Working Group (OWG) made up
of 30 members representing 70
countries. SDG drafting process
also included intense
consultation process among:
– 193 UN member states
– Civil society organizations
– Academicians
– Scientists
– Private sectors and
– Other stakeholders all around
the world
– MDG targets for 2015 were – The SDGs are designed to
set to get us “halfway” to the finish the job to get to a
goal of ending hunger and statistical “zero” on hunger,
poverty. poverty, preventable child
– It had narrow focus on deaths and other targets.
poverty reduction. – It has wide focus on poverty
reduction and tries to embed
environmental, economic and
social aspects together.
– MDGs mainly – SDGs targets and applies
targeted developing/least uniformly to all the countries;
developed or poor countries. rich, middle income and poor.
– It was designed in the context – It appeals all countries to take
of “rich donors aiding poor action.
recipients.”
MDGs ignored the three crucial SDGs have addressed these
pillars for sustainable end of three pillars more strongly i.e.
hunger i.e. empowering SDG have ensured stronger
women, mobilizing everyone, gender roles, people’s
and collaborating with local participation and government
government participation
It mainly focused on social It focuses on social inclusion,
dimensions and better health economic growth, better health
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 and environmental protection.
SDGs also strengthen equity,
human rights and non-
discrimination
Development agendas MDG could not focus holistically SDG focuses holistically on
on development. It also missed development.
to address root causes of
poverty.
Scope of work MDG only emphasized on the SDG emphasizes on present and
prevalent challenges upcoming challenges
Distinguishing Hunger and Hunger and poverty are SDGs treat the issue of poverty
Poverty. combined together in MDG separately from hunger and,
food and nutrition security
Cost MDGs were less costly SDGs are much more costly
compared to SDG compared to MDGs
Source of funding MDGs were largely envisioned SDGs put sustainable, inclusive
to be funded by aid flows, economic development at the
which did not materialize core of the strategy
Peace Building MDGs did not include SDGs include peace building to
peace building in their core the success of ending poverty
agenda and goals and hunger.
Data Revolution MDGs did not prioritize SDGs target by 2020 to
monitoring, evaluation and “increase significantly the
accountability. availability of high-quality,
timely and reliable data
disaggregated by income,
gender, age, race, ethnicity,
migratory status, disability,
geographic location and other
characteristics relevant in
national contexts.”
Quality Education The MDGs focused on quantity SDGs focus on the quality of
(e.g.: high enrollment rates) education and the role of
rather than quality. This might education in achieving a more
have declined quality of humane world: “education for
education in many societies. sustainable development and
sustainable lifestyles, human
rights, gender equality,
promotion of a culture of peace
and non-violence, global
citizenship, and appreciation of
cultural diversity and of
culture’s contribution to
sustainable development.”

The Global Consultation of Sustainable Development Goals

The Rio+20 conference (the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development) in Rio de
Janeiro, June 2012, galvanized a process to develop a new set of Sustainable Development Goals

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(SDGs) which will carry on the momentum generated by the MDGs and fit into a global development
framework beyond 2015.

In the interest of creating a new, people-centered, development agenda, a global consultation was
conducted online and offline. Civil society organizations, citizens, scientists, academics, and the
private sector from around the world were all actively engaged in the process. Activities included
thematic and national consultations, and the My World survey led by the United Nations
Development Group. Specialized panels were also held and provided ground to facilitate
intergovernmental discussions. The UN Secretary General presented a synthesis of the results of
these consultation processes.

In July 2014, the UN General Assembly Open Working Group (OWG) proposed a document
containing 17 goals to be put forward for the General Assembly’s approval in September 2015. This
document set the ground for the new SDGs and the global development agenda spanning from
2015-2030.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as proposed by the OWG

Goal 1:End poverty in all its forms everywhere:

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Eradicating poverty in all its forms remains one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. While the
number of people living in extreme poverty has dropped by more than half – from 1.9 billion in 1990,
to 836 million in 2015 – too many people are still struggling to meet the most basic human needs.

Globally, more than 800 million people are still living on less than $1.25 a day; many lack access to
adequate food, clean drinking water and sanitation. Rapid economic growth in countries like China
and India has lifted millions out of poverty, but progress has been uneven. Women are
disproportionately affected; they are more likely to live in poverty due to unequal access to paid
work, education and property.

Progress has also been limited in other regions, such as South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, which
account for 80 percent of the people living in extreme poverty. This rate is expected to rise due to
new threats brought on by climate change, conflict and food insecurity.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a bold commitment to finish what we started, and
end poverty in all forms and dimensions by 2030. In order to achieve the SDGs, we must target those
living in vulnerable situations, increasing access to basic resources and services, and support
communities affected by conflict and climate-related disasters.

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Ending poverty is one of 17 Global Goals that make up the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development. An integrated approach is crucial for progress across multiple goals.

Goal 1 targets

By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living
on less than $1.25 a day

By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in
poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions

Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors,
and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable

By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights
to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other
forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services,
including microfinance

By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their
exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and
environmental shocks and disasters

Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources, including through enhanced
development cooperation, in order to provide adequate and predictable means for developing
countries, in particular least developed countries, to implement programmes and policies to end
poverty in all its dimensions

Create sound policy frameworks at the national, regional and international levels, based on pro-poor
and gender-sensitive development strategies, to support accelerated investment in poverty
eradication actions

The SDG Fund response

The SDG Fund supports initiatives that tackle poverty from a multisectoral perspective and address
the following dimensions:

 Create opportunities for good and decent jobs and secure livelihoods
 Support inclusive and sustainable business practices
 Promote better government policies and fair and accountable public institutions

Goal 2:End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable
agriculture

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

Rapid economic growth and increased agricultural productivity over the past two decades has seen
the proportion of undernourished people drop by almost half

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Many developing countries that used to suffer from famine and hunger can now meet the nutritional
needs of the most vulnerable. Central and East Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean have all made
huge progress in eradicating extreme hunger.

These are all significant achievements in reaching the targets set out by the first Millennium
Development Goals. Unfortunately, extreme hunger and malnutrition remain a huge barrier to
development in many countries. 795 million people are estimated to be chronically undernourished
as of 2014, often as a direct consequence of environmental degradation, drought and loss of
biodiversity. Over 90 million children under the age of five are dangerously underweight. And one
person in every four still goes hungry in Africa.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to end all forms of hunger and malnutrition by 2030,
making sure all people – especially children and the more vulnerable – have access to sufficient and
nutritious food all year round. This involves promoting sustainable agricultural practices: improving
the livelihoods and capacities of small scale famers, allowing equal access to land, technology and
markets. It also requires international cooperation to ensure investment in infrastructure and
technology to improve agricultural productivity.

Together with the other goals set out here, we can end hunger by 2030

Zero Hunger is one of 17 Global Goals that make up the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
An integrated approach is crucial for progress across the multiple goals.

Goal 2 targets

By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable
situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round

By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed
targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of
adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons

By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular
women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and
equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets
and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment

By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices
that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity
for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that
progressively improve land and soil quality

By 2020, maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated
animals and their related wild species, including through soundly managed and diversified seed and
plant banks at the national, regional and international levels, and promote access to and fair and
equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and associated
traditional knowledge, as internationally agreed

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Increase investment, including through enhanced international cooperation, in rural infrastructure,
agricultural research and extension services, technology development and plant and livestock gene
banks in order to enhance agricultural productive capacity in developing countries, in particular least
developed countries

Correct and prevent trade restrictions and distortions in world agricultural markets, including
through the parallel elimination of all forms of agricultural export subsidies and all export measures
with equivalent effect, in accordance with the mandate of the Doha Development Round

Adopt measures to ensure the proper functioning of food commodity markets and their derivatives
and facilitate timely access to market information, including on food reserves, in order to help limit
extreme food price volatility

The SDG Fund response

Underlying the food and nutrition situation are multiple challenges in achieving sustainable food
production. A rapidly growing population is increasing the demand for food. The SDG Fund
programmes apply a multisectoral approach and include the following key dimensions:

 Promotion of integrated approaches for alleviating child hunger and under-nutrition

 Promotion of sustainable and resilient livelihoods for vulnerable households, especially in
the context of adaptation to climate change
 Strengthening of capacities to generate information allowing for improved policy-making and
advocacy.

Goal 3:Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

The SDG Fund response

By incorporating health services and health specialists, the SDG Fund programmes tackle the health
challenges and opportunities underlying intersectoral interventions. In addition, the SDG Fund,
particularly through the work of the World Health Organization, promotes positive changes in
national and local health policies.

Goal 4:Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities
for all

Goal 5:Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Goal 6:Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Goal 7:Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all

Goal 8:Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive
employment, and decent work for all

Goal 9:Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster
innovation

Goal 10:Reduce inequality within and among countries

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Goal 11:Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Goal 12:Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Goal 13:Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Goal14:Conserve and sustainable use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable
development

Goal 15:Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage
forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss

Goal 16:Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to
justice for all, and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Goal 17:Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for
sustainable development

Challenges

The four major challenges that need to be addressed for achieving the SDGs are as follows:

Some of the SDGs that have been costed show that the cost of the SDGs is huge. The rough
calculations have put the cost of providing a social safety net to eradicate extreme poverty at about
$66 bn a year,(8) while annual investments in improving infrastructure (water, agriculture, transport,
and power) could be up to a total of $7 tn globally. A major conference on financing for the SDGs,
held in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa in July, failed to ease concerns that there will not be
enough funds to meet the aspirational nature of the goals. It included a recommitment to the UN
target on aid spending 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) set more than 40 years ago. Multilateral
banks committed $400 bn;(9)

At the international level, most of the developed countries have not met the target of allocating 0.7%
of GNI to international aid in the last 40 years. The lack of priority in funds allocation within country
budget has also been a problem during MDGs. Similar lack of accountability exists at ministry, state,
and local administration level. If we take SDGs seriously the accountability needs to be strengthened
at all levels.

Maintaining peace is essential for development. A threat to international peace and stability by
nonstate actors is emerging as a major factor for both developed and developing countries. The
recent crisis in Syria has forced 12 million people to leave their homes and made them refuges.

Measuring progress: A number of targets in the SDGs are not quantified. The indicators for
measuring progress have not yet been identified. Even if they limit to two indicators per target there
will be 338 indicators to monitor and report. “Having 169 targets is like having no targets at all.”(10)
Measurability will depend on the availability of data and capacity to measure them.

Accountability: There was a lack of accountability for inputs into MDGs at all levels. This challenge
needs to be addressed in SDGs

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