1

Millennium Development Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)Goals (MDGs)

and the ESCWA Regionand the ESCWA Region

Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)(ESCWA)

2

Progress Towards Achieving the Progress Towards Achieving the MDGs in the ESCWA RegionMDGs in the ESCWA Region

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hungerGoal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Despite reductions in poverty levels in some Despite reductions in poverty levels in some

countries, the ESCWA region will not succeed in countries, the ESCWA region will not succeed in

halving the proportion of people whose income halving the proportion of people whose income

is less than US$1 between 1990 and 2015 . is less than US$1 between 1990 and 2015 .

3

Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary EducationGoal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education

If ESCWA countries maintain their current If ESCWA countries maintain their current

progress rate, it is expected that all progress rate, it is expected that all

countries, excluding Yemen, will achieve countries, excluding Yemen, will achieve

universal primary education by 2015.universal primary education by 2015.

4

Goal 3: Promote gender equality and women’s Goal 3: Promote gender equality and women’s empowermentempowerment

Most ESCWA countries, with the exception of Most ESCWA countries, with the exception of

Yemen, are expected to achieve gender Yemen, are expected to achieve gender

equality in all educational levels and in youth equality in all educational levels and in youth

literacy before 2015. literacy before 2015.

5

Goal 4: Reduce child mortalityGoal 4: Reduce child mortality

Progress is slow in reducing under-five Progress is slow in reducing under-five

mortality rates; however, the region is mortality rates; however, the region is

showing progress in measles immunization. showing progress in measles immunization.

6

Goal 5: Improve maternal healthGoal 5: Improve maternal health

It is expected that most ESCWA countries will It is expected that most ESCWA countries will

succeed in reducing maternal mortality ratios succeed in reducing maternal mortality ratios

by three-quarters between 1990 and 2015.by three-quarters between 1990 and 2015.

7

Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseasesdiseases

The problem is less acute than in other regions The problem is less acute than in other regions

of the world. of the world.

No accurate estimate of the prevalence of No accurate estimate of the prevalence of

HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted

diseases in ESCWA countries. diseases in ESCWA countries.

Data reported for the number of registered Data reported for the number of registered

cases of HIV/AIDS are understated. cases of HIV/AIDS are understated.

Despite low levels of HIV/AIDS cases, the Despite low levels of HIV/AIDS cases, the

containment of the malaria epidemic and containment of the malaria epidemic and

progress made in combating TB, the possibility progress made in combating TB, the possibility

of the spread of those diseases on a wider scale of the spread of those diseases on a wider scale

throughout the region is possible due to throughout the region is possible due to

natural, economic and social factors.natural, economic and social factors.

8

Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainabilityGoal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability

Good progress with regard to access to Good progress with regard to access to

drinking water and sanitation in urban areas; drinking water and sanitation in urban areas;

Lagging progress in terms of access to Lagging progress in terms of access to

drinking water in rural areas;drinking water in rural areas;

No progress (with no significant change) in No progress (with no significant change) in

the provision of sanitation in rural areas.the provision of sanitation in rural areas.

9

Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for developmentdevelopment

Global partnerships for development are yet Global partnerships for development are yet to be forged. Developed countries are urged to be forged. Developed countries are urged to re-think their policies on the following to re-think their policies on the following issues in order to create an international issues in order to create an international economic system that is more conducive to economic system that is more conducive to the realization of the MDGs:the realization of the MDGs:

•ODAODA•FDIFDI•Debt relief and managementDebt relief and management•Agricultural subsidies Agricultural subsidies

10

MDG-related initiatives undertaken MDG-related initiatives undertaken by by ESCWAESCWA

Organizing 3 meetings and workshops Organizing 3 meetings and workshops (between June 2003 - October 2004) to raise (between June 2003 - October 2004) to raise awareness on MDGs;awareness on MDGs;

Developing and disseminating specialized Developing and disseminating specialized datasets on MDGs based on national sources;datasets on MDGs based on national sources;

Compiling data, statistics and reference Compiling data, statistics and reference material on MDGs in the Arabic language;material on MDGs in the Arabic language;

Issuing, by end of 2004, the first regional Issuing, by end of 2004, the first regional report covering all 13 member countries and report covering all 13 member countries and tracking progress towards achieving MDGs .tracking progress towards achieving MDGs .

11

MDG-related initiatives undertaken MDG-related initiatives undertaken by by Member CountriesMember Countries

9 9 countries in the ESCWA region have countries in the ESCWA region have

prepared their MDG reports, namely: prepared their MDG reports, namely:

- Bahrain - Bahrain - Egypt, - Egypt,

- Kuwait- Kuwait - Lebanon, - Lebanon,

- Palestine- Palestine - Saudi Arabia, - Saudi Arabia,

- Syrian Arab Republic - Syrian Arab Republic - Yemen - Yemen

- Jordan will be completing its report by the - Jordan will be completing its report by the

end of end of October 2004October 2004. .

12

Challenges facing the ESCWA region Challenges facing the ESCWA region in meeting the MDGsin meeting the MDGs

Armed conflicts and wars in the region;

Weak economic growth;

Reliability and validity of data, statistics and

indicators;

Limited statistical capacity to analyze and

disseminate statistics and to monitor progress;

13

Lack of awareness on the importance of

implementing and monitoring the MDGs;

Lack of financing for achieving the MDGs in

some member States;

Absence of coordination between the major

partners in development (governments, NGOs

and the private sector).

14

ESCWA’s Plan for Monitoring and ESCWA’s Plan for Monitoring and Facilitating the Achievement of the Facilitating the Achievement of the

MDGsMDGs

Integrate the MDGs into the work

programme;

Share knowledge, best practices and lessons

learned; Build capacities in member countries to

develop statistical data and indicators; Carry out advocacy and awareness-raising

efforts; Promote building of partnerships within and

among member States.