Briefing Papers Number 22, September 2013

Number 22,  September 2013 briefing paper UN Photo/Mark Garten A Global Development Agenda: Toward 2015 and Beyond by Faustine Wabwire Key Points • The newest data show that the world has made more progress against hunger than previously thought. With increased political support, it is in fact feasible to cut in half the proportion of hungry people by December 2015, the deadline to meet the MDGs. Even more importantly, the world can virtually end hunger within a generation. • The enduring value of the MDGs as the most time-bound, measurable, and holistic approach yet to human development should be reaffirmed. The international community must reach agreement on a set of development goals to succeed the MDGs. • Malnutrition is part of the unfinished MDG agenda. Improving nutrition among pregnant women, lactating mothers, and young children, in particular, is key to ending preventable child deaths and to unlocking the potential of the millions of children who face early childhood malnutrition. • The post-2015 development agenda should include a stand-alone goal to achieve global food security and good nutrition by 2030, as articulated in the U.N. Secretary General’s High Level Panel’s recommendations. Faustine Wabwire is Senior Foreign Assistance Policy Analyst at Bread for the World Institute. Bread for the World Institute provides policy analysis on hunger and strategies to end it. The Institute educates opinion leaders, policy makers, and the public about hunger in the United States and abroad. www.bread.org Abstract The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) endorsed by 189 countries in 2000 are an unprecedented global effort to achieve development goals that are identified collectively, achievable, and measurable. Progress can be effectively monitored since there are specific targets for reducing hunger, reducing child and maternal mortality, improving access to clean water, etc. Globally, substantial progress has been made toward many MDG targets—including cutting in half the proportion of people living in poverty. Every major region of the world made progress. The targets for MDG 1 are to cut in half the proportion of people living with hunger and poverty by December 2015. The poverty target has been met. The hunger target has not, yet it is within reach if all countries are willing to do their part. Progress against malnutrition has been too slow. Globally, one in four children is stunted. The United States should provide leadership and work within the global community to forge a universal set of global development goals to succeed the MDGs. These goals should include a stand-alone goal to end hunger and achieve food security and good nutrition, and they should advance women’s economic empowerment, community resilience, and effective institutions.