Africa May not Meet Millenium Development Goals

Source: Annan calls for concerted efforts at Africa's development - Thestatesmanonline.com

Busumuru Kofi Annan stated on Thursday that even though Africa has come a long way the continent as a whole is falling behind in the race to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Annan stated that developing countries, international donors and the United Nations must pitch in together to enable these goals to be met.

The MDGs aim to eradicate a number of social ills. The goals include a fifty percent reduction in poverty and hunger, universal primary education, increased gender equality, a two-thirds reduction in child mortality, a reduction in the incidence of malaria and HIV/AIDS, and a fifty percent reduction in the number of people who do not have access to drinkable water. All of these goals are to be accomplished by 2015.

Annan stressed the importance of the developing countries themselves living up to their commitments. He stated that the way to accomplish this is for these countries to adopt specific comprehensive national strategies and implement them.
However, Annan also noted that developed and middle-income countries need to be involved as well. According to Annan, where developing countries have adopted such strategies, developed and middle-income countries need to live up to their commitments to help with the implementation and success of such strategies.