The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight objectives that respond to the world’s main development challenges, which are to be achieved by 2015. The MDGs are drawn from the actions and targets contained in the Millennium Declaration, which was adopted by 189 nations and signed by 147 heads of states and governments during the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000.
The eight MDGs break down into 18 quantifiable targets that are measured by 48 indicators.
- Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
- Achieve universal primary education
- Promote gender equality and empower women
- Reduce child mortality
- Improve maternal health
- Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
- Ensure environmental sustainability
- Develop a Global Partnership for Development
Full list of goals, targets and indicators is available here.
A special initiative of the United Nations, the MDG Monitor, shows how countries are progressing in their efforts to achieve the MDGs. With the 2015 target date fast approaching, it is more important than ever to understand where successes are being achieved and where additional efforts and support are needed, both globally and at the country level. See Kyrgyzstan's progress>>
Progress towards MDGs in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan has shown clear progress in achieving the national MDGs. The second national report on achievement of MDGs produced by the UN System and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic on February 2009 indicates that the target benchmarks on poverty reduction, environmental sustainability, and a global partnership for development have been reached. But it’s way too early to speak of sustainable trends. The unstable situation in global markets and the lack of sustainability in the development of some sectors of Kyrgyzstan’s economy jeopardize the achieved progress. There are certain concerns related to achieving the goals in heath sector, i.e., reduction of child mortality, improvement of maternal health and combating HIV/AIDS, TB and other infectious diseases.
Although there has been impressive progress towards reducing extreme poverty, the level of poverty in the country is still significant. Issues such as labor migration and brain-drain form significant obstacles to equitable poverty reduction in the country.
The percentage of children receiving basic education (1-9 grades) increased by 1.2 percent from 2003-2006, reaching 96 percent. However, the 2007 assessment of children’s functional literacy and readiness for independent lives in society indicated the low quality of education.
Achieving gender equality remains a serious issue. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan has experienced a deepening of gender inequality. Women earn only 67.3 percent of the wages men do. However, there have been some positive developments, especially with regard to involving women in decision-making processes. Today, there are three women among the 23 members of Kyrgyzstan’s government. Also, as a result of special measures aimed to ensure gender equality, women currently constitute 26.6 percent of the Parliament.
Healthcare reform in the Kyrgyz Republic has been in process for 10 years, within the framework of the Manas Taalimi National Healthcare Reform Project (1996-2005). While the country has an integrated national system for combating HIV/AIDS, TB and other infectious diseases, the country has yet to effectively curb these diseases. Porous borders, increased drug trafficking through the country and uncontrolled labor migration raise the susceptibility of the country to HIV/AIDS, TB and other infectious diseases.
The second MDG progress report launched analyzes the country’s progress against MDG targets.
