Newsroom

(Photo: UNDP/Luis Pereira) World leaders vowed at the United Nations headquarters in New York to reduce global poverty, two-thirds into the 15-year global plan to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). With just five years to go, leaders discussed how and where they can do more in the remaining period. (The outcome document of the High-level Plenary Meeting of the sixty-fifth session of the General Assembly on the Millennium Development Goals is available in English.) On 22 September, UNDP presented the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Acceleration Framework, an innovative approach designed to help countries identify and resolve barriers to eradicating extreme poverty, and achieving sustainable development. Ten countries began to pilot this approach earlier this year with the support of UNDP and the broader UN system. The pilot countries include Togo, Ghana, Uganda, Belize, Jordan, Tanzania, Tajikistan, Papua New Guinea, Colombia and Lao PDR. Also on Wednesday, captains of industry, CEOs and VPs met with world leaders on how to build local prosperity models, emphasizing the need for businesses to stimulate local economic and development opportunities. UNDP is set to launch new efforts to promote inclusive business initiatives for growth in Africa, with the aim to develop local prosperity and play a positive role for poor communities, including opportunities for women and young people. Finally, Premier Wen Jiabao of the People’s Republic of China and UNDP Administrator Helen Clark signed a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of UNDP and the government of China. This bilateral agreement is historic in their relationship, and renews commitments for development assistance to China and support for developing countries under a framework of South-South Cooperation towards 2015. UNDP and China have been in cooperation since 1979, in an ongoing effort to end poverty and achieve the MDGs. Helen Clark posted updates throughout the week and during the Summit; follow @HelenClarkUNDPand @UNDP on Twitter to find real-time updates from the summit and beyond.

Faces of the MDGs Africa Benin on track to achieve universal primary education Benin is on track to ensure primary education for all by 2015, provided current efforts are maintained. Cape Verde on track to end poverty and meet most MDGs Cape Verde's poverty rates have fallen substantially over time, and the island-nation remains on track to meet most of the MDGs, particular those related to poverty eradication, health, education and gender. Empowering women through literacy empowers us all Through an award winning literacy programme in Cape Verde women get access to the schooling they missed as children. Eritrea reducing maternal death, on track to achieve the MDGs Eritrea is one of the four African countries said to be on course to achieve Millennium Development Goals five on Maternal Health. Malawi on the road to fighting poverty A village generally characterized with high poverty levels, malnourished children, and no access to clean water has changed in the last five years since the introduction of a Millennium Villages Project. Arab States Syria MDG report: the main challenge is environmental degradation Syria has made substantive progress on school enrollment and reducing child deaths, according to the country’s recently published third national Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) report. Asia & the Pacific Cambodian Buddhist monk with an environmental crusade In what began as a Cambodian Buddhist monk's mission to thwart the destruction of the environment has resulted in the legal protection of 18,261 hectare of evergreen forest in northwestern Cambodia. Fiji races to deadline for Millennium Development Goals Stories of hope, determination and new ideas from the Pacific nation of Fiji in its race to meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. India: public-private partnership helps women change rules A public-private initiative setting up self-help groups among rural women in one of India’s poorest and most populous states has created a dramatic increase in political awareness and participation. Latin America & the Caribbean Rural Honduras to get more than US$6 million to grow business and jobs As many as 80,000 families living outside the bank lending system in Honduras’ rural hinterlands could gain access to credit or mortgage loans through a new government initiative, coordinated by UNDP. Mexico's poorest state tackles extreme poverty through budget shifts Nearly US$600 million from the budget of Mexico’s poorest state of Chiapas is to be dedicated this year to local programmes aimed at tackling extreme poverty. Peru: Health in Andes gets boost from cleaner cooking A partnership to help clean up air and reduce waste from cooking fuels in households of the Peruvian Andes has contributed to dramatic improvements in family health, according to an impact survey completed earlier this year. Press Releases 22/09/10: UNDP puts forward new approach to speed up progress on MDGs 22/09/10: Four companies commit to fight poverty in Africa and Asia 22/09/10: UNDP, China agree on new cooperation for development 21/09/10: World Business and Development Awards: Fighting poverty can benefit business 21/09/10: Africa: MDG progress associated with innovation 20/09/10: 25 Equator Prize winners honoured 20/09/10: Asia-Pacific countries: Opportunity to turn robust growth into anti-poverty 16/09/10: UN says extra push needed to meet global anti-poverty goals 15/09/10: UNDP salutes anti-poverty heroes in annual photo contest 11/09/10: Queen of Spain, Antonio Banderas award winner in anti-poverty competition Speeches 22/09/10: Secretary General: Remarks at "Turning evidence into practice" 22/09/10: Helen Clark: Learning from what works to accelerate MDG progress 21/09/10: Helen Clark Accelerating Progress towards the MDGs through Inclusive Business Address to the Donor Forum on Kyrgyzstan Climate vulnerability and its impact on the MDGs "Innovative Financing for the MDGs" event Remarks on "Achieving MDGs through Partnership in Asia" "Social Justice and the MDGs" World Development Awards 20/09/10: Helen Clark Biodiversity, Ecosystems and Climate Change Domestic Resources Mobilisation, MDG Summit Global Leader’s Council for Reproductive Health Reception Opening, MDG Summit Roundtable 1, MDG Summit 20/09/10: Rebeca Grynspan: Presentation of "Tajikistan: MDG Progress Review Report 2010" 17/09/10: Helen Clark: Achieving Development Progress in a Time of Crisis 15/09/10: Rebeca Grynspan: Debate on Democracy and the Millennium Development Goals 10/09/10: Helen Clark: Launch of the MDGs Campaign in Moldova

Videos UN Global Conversation with UNDP Administrator Helen Clark (15 Sept. 2010) MDG Public Service Announcement UN Swim Across the Continents UNDP Administrator Helen Clark speaks at the MDG Summit Photos Equator Prize Award Ceremony Global Leaders Council for Reproductive Health Helen Clark at the United Nations MDG Summit and General Assembly UN Millennium Development Goals Summit 2010 World Business Development Awards Related Links Learn more about the MDGs Summit on the Millennium Development Goals: 20-22 September 2010 Picture This Photo Contest View the winning photos for each Millennium Development Goal. UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors Zidane and Drogba appeal to "kick out poverty"!