United Nations Millennium Declaration

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The United Nations Millennium Declaration was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 8 September 2000, following the Millennium Summit held from 6 to 8 September 2000 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. The declaration outlines a commitment to a new global partnership to reduce extreme poverty and sets out a series of time-bound targets, with a deadline of 2015, that have become known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Background

The Millennium Summit was the largest gathering of world leaders in history as of 2000, with over 150 heads of state and government in attendance. The summit aimed to address the role of the United Nations in the 21st century and to establish a blueprint for a better future for all people.

Key Components

The Millennium Declaration consists of several key components, including:

• **Peace, Security, and Disarmament**: Emphasizing the need for peace and security, the declaration calls for the elimination of weapons of mass destruction and the reduction of conventional weapons.
• **Development and Poverty Eradication**: The declaration commits to halving the number of people living in extreme poverty by 2015 and ensuring that all children complete a full course of primary schooling.
• **Protecting Our Common Environment**: It highlights the importance of sustainable development and the need to address climate change.
• **Human Rights, Democracy, and Good Governance**: The declaration reaffirms the commitment to human rights, democracy, and good governance.
• **Protecting the Vulnerable**: It calls for special measures to protect the most vulnerable, including children and refugees.
• **Meeting the Special Needs of Africa**: The declaration recognizes the special needs of Africa and calls for increased support to the continent.
• **Strengthening the United Nations**: It emphasizes the need to strengthen the United Nations to better address global challenges.

Millennium Development Goals

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight international development goals that were established following the adoption of the Millennium Declaration. These goals are:

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger 2. Achieve universal primary education 3. Promote gender equality and empower women 4. Reduce child mortality 5. Improve maternal health 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases 7. Ensure environmental sustainability 8. Develop a global partnership for development

Impact and Legacy

The Millennium Declaration and the MDGs have had a significant impact on global development efforts. They have mobilized resources, increased awareness, and fostered international cooperation. While progress has been made in many areas, challenges remain, and the MDGs have been succeeded by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to build on the achievements of the MDGs and address new challenges.

Related Pages

• Millennium Development Goals
• Sustainable Development Goals
• United Nations General Assembly
• Millennium Summit
• United Nations Headquarters

References

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