This document discusses progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. It notes that over 400 million people have been lifted out of poverty since 2000 and there have been advances in reducing child mortality, increasing access to education, and fighting diseases. Some of the poorest countries are on track to meet several goals. Success stories include significant reductions in child mortality, hunger, and increases in food production and school enrollment in several African countries. However, challenges remain due to the financial crisis, food and climate crises, and governance problems. Meeting the MDGs will require increased funding and prioritization of resources towards achieving the goals. The document calls for accelerating progress through local action, accountability, and a breakthrough action plan to be agreed at

1. Countdown 2015 : Accelerating Progress on the MDGs Stockholm, March 24 2010

3. Become accountable to citizens: human rights-based development

4. More aid and more effective aid

5. Greater debt cancellation

7. 2000-9 MDG Scorecard…. Over 35 countries have had their debts cancelled – big increase in poverty-focussed public expenditure Aid levels have steadily increased – 30% higher than 1992 peak

8. MDG Outcomes have been very significant Over 400 million people come out of poverty since 2000 4 million fewer children die > 30 million more children in school HIV/AIDS, 30% reduction in new infections in 2008 compared to 1996, 2 m. receiving ARVs Big advances in TB, malaria, access to water 63/117 countries on-track on malnutrition 30 more than in 2006 Women MPs – 11% in 2000, 18% in 2009

10. MDG Progress - Poverty

11. MDG Progress - Education

12. MDG Progress – Child Health

14. Tanzania

15. Mali

16. Zambia

17. Mozambique

18. Ghana

19. Bangladesh

21. Success: where it matters most! U5MR falls by >40% in Malawi, Mozambique, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Niger, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bolivia and Laos Ethiopia puts 3 million more kids in school and Tanzania 2 million, doubling school enrollment from 2001 to 2006 Honduras reduced MMR by 40% from 1990 to 2005

22. Why are these countries more on track? Leadership from the top Global MDGs adapted to National Goals Clear Plan, Policies & Strategies MDGs prioritised in the allocation of domestic and external resources in the budget High focus on improving delivery mechanisms for the poor

23. Why are some countries more on track? e. Greater accountability and transparency at all levels – more citizen engagement More media and public debate International donors line up behind national priorities

24. Countdown 2015: the obstacle course Financial crisis – separating real impact from using this as an excuse Food and Climate crisis – more acute Governance and exclusion crisis – national and global; significant increase in inequality Trade crisis – Doha impasse and new protectionism Big challenges in conflict zones, in MMR and sanitation

25. MDG Achievement – a matter of political choice Total amount given as bail outs in the last year is estimated at $18 trillion – cumulative aid in the last 49 years is less than $2 tr. Total spent on arms in 2008 $1.46 trillion – aid was about $120 billion Resources lost through corruption by leaders of poor countries, often colluding with western governments and corporations, and mindless wars could have more than achieved MDGs

26. Grassroots Policy Change Media/Public Awareness Citizens action on MDGs needs a second wind to build political will

27. UN MDG Review Summit Sept 2010: Agreeing the 2010-15 Breakthrough Action Plan Accelerate progress based on what’s worked : This will motivate governments and people and create national ownership Move the action to the local: Improve data and analysis at all levels – disaggregated, high frequency, and available in a simple form first to poor communities and local govts Get serious about accountability: From local to national to global

28. UN MDG Review Summit: Web portal for civil society www.un-ngls.org/mdg2010

29. Swedish civil society: Action Agenda Local and national level actions in Sweden and EU: a. Build a strong public constituency of support for the MDGs b. Remind other EU Governments of their responsibility to keep their promises on aid, debt and trade - Goal 8; c. Create national momentum in the run up to the MDG Review Summit Local, national and regional level actions in the South: a. Align programme design and impact at the local level towards the achievement of the MDGs, particularly for the poor; b. In all programmes, increase accountability of government to poor communities on the MDGs; c. Directly and through MDG Campaign Coalitions monitor MDG performance and reorient public expenditure towards MDGs.