Achieving the MDGs: RBA Training Workshop Module 1: How to Meet the MDGs May 9-12, 2005

1. Achieving the MDGs: RBA Training Workshop Module 1: How to Meet the MDGs May 9-12, 2005

2. Workshop Goals • After completing this workshop participants will be able to • Set up the process for preparing MDG-based poverty reduction strategy • Carry out MDG needs assessments • Train colleagues in government and UNCT in needs assessment approach www.unmillenniumproject.org

3. Agenda • Overview Millennium Project • Can the MDGs be achieved? • What can countries do to achieve the MDGs? • The MD+5 Summit in September www.unmillenniumproject.org

4. Overview of the Millennium Project • Mission: • To put forward the best strategies for achieving the MDGs by 2015 and advise on their implementation • Structure: • Advisory body to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan • All reports submitted to SG on 17 January 2005, available online at www.unmillenniumproject.org • Directed by Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, Special Advisor to the Secretary-General on the MDGs • Bulk of work was performed by 10 thematically-oriented Task Forces of experts and leading practitioners • Secretariat housed at UNDP www.unmillenniumproject.org

5. Agenda • Overview Millennium Project • Can the MDGs be achieved? • What can countries do to achieve the MDGs? • The MD+5 Summit in September www.unmillenniumproject.org

6. Meeting the MDGs requires several types of necessary inputs • Broad-based public investments in people, infrastructure, and environmental management • Sound policies and governance including good economic management • Improved access to international trade (makes an important but small contribution for low-income countries) • MDGs are achievable, but only just • There is no “magic bullet” – each input is necessary • Many countries are well governed but cannot afford the public investments necessary for growth • These integrated investments need to be planned over the long-term www.unmillenniumproject.org

7. Africa’s Special Needs: look beyond standard diagnosis of poor governance Africa faces many structural constraints, e.g.: • High disease burden (e.g. malaria, HIV/AIDS, TB) • High dependence on low-productivity rainfed agriculture • Poor infrastructure & few navigable rivers • Small internal market size • Low population density • Population living far from the coast • Governance is important but not the only issue in Africa • Each of these constraints can be overcome through targeted public investments • Trade plays an important role, but is not the only solution www.unmillenniumproject.org

8. Financial implications of meeting the MDGs • Typical low-income country needs: $110 p.c. per year through to 2015 • Domestic resource mobilization comprises household contributions and government expenditures • To meet the MDGs countries need more aid and debt relief since domestic resource mobilization is insufficient • Macroeconomic stability can be maintained if aid is predictable, grants-based and coupled with adequate debt relief • At the global level MDGs are affordable within existing commitments (e.g. 0.7% target): • 0.44% of rich countries’ GNI in 2006 • 0.54% of rich countries’ GNI in 2015 www.unmillenniumproject.org

9. Agenda • Overview Millennium Project • Can the MDGs be achieved? • What can countries do to achieve the MDGs? • The MD+5 Summit in September www.unmillenniumproject.org

10. Adopting a goal-oriented approach • Development practice needs to flip the question: FROM How close can we get to the MDGs under the current constraints? TO What will it take to achieve the MDGs? • A key question is how to plan public investments in people, infrastructure, and the environment • Countries should adopt development strategies ambitious enough to achieve the MDGs (or MDG-based poverty reduction strategies) www.unmillenniumproject.org

11. Scaled-up plans to achieve the MDGs based on country needs assessments Implied (but uncertain) trajectory still falls far short of MDGs MDG target MDG target PRS aligned with MDG needs assessment Level of MDG progress Level of MDG progress “accelerated” progress through PRS ? slow/no progress to date slow/no progress to date 2015 Goals guide the PRS 1990 2004 2007 2015 MDG MDG Base Year Target Deadline 1990 2004 2007 2015 MDG MDG Base Year Target Deadline YEAR YEAR Principles of MDG-based Poverty Reduction Strategies Typical PRS todayMDG-based PRS www.unmillenniumproject.org

12. What is an MDG-based poverty reduction strategy? • Ambition • Scope • Rigor • Timeline • Financing www.unmillenniumproject.org

13. Integrated strategies are required • Gender equality • Education • Health systems (including sexual and reproductive health) • Agricultural productivity • Water supply, sanitation, and water resources management • Energy • Transport • Environmental management • Slum upgrading and urban planning • Trade facilitation • Science, technology, and innovation • Regional infrastructure • Etc. www.unmillenniumproject.org

14. Agenda • Overview Millennium Project • Can the MDGs be achieved? • What can countries do to achieve the MDGs? • The MD+5 Summit in September www.unmillenniumproject.org

15. September summit focuses on four key areas • Freedom from want (development) • Freedom from fear (security) • Freedom to live in dignity (human rights) • Strengthening the United Nations www.unmillenniumproject.org

16. Key recommendations for development in the Secretary-General’s report • 2005 must become the breakthrough year for development if the MDGs are to be achieved • All countries develop MDG-based poverty reduction strategies with support from UN • Countries that have MDG-based PRSs should receive adequate support from development partners • Those that do not have the capacity to do on their ownso should be assisted by the UNCT to prepare their strategies • Launch a series of “Quick Wins” • Donors agree to timetable for achieving 0.7 percent before 2015 • 5 donors have already achieved 0.7 percent • 7 more have committed to timelines before 2015 • Completion of Doha trade round in 2006 www.unmillenniumproject.org