[Christian Aid] [Monday’s] final progress report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) carries important lessons about what the global community can achieve when it recognises a shared moral imperative and the need for common action.

But it also highlights the worsening crises which remain, says Christian Aid

“The UN’s new report reveals progress across much of the world on some of the most critical targets that countries set for themselves fifteen years ago,” said Toby Quantrill, the charity’s Principal Economic Justice Adviser.

“That means better daily lives for many millions of people. Achievements such as increasing the numbers of girls in primary education, halting the spread of malaria and providing access to clean water will make a real difference.   

“However it is also painfully clear that progress in other areas has been limited and some problems have got worse – for instance the climate crisis and widening inequality at every level, including that between women and men.

“Action on the MDGs has had little impact on these problems, some of which were less clear 15 years ago when the Goals first came into force. But now that they are alarmingly apparent, the time has come for more fundamental change.”

This year presents huge opportunities to begin to solve climate change and heal deep inequalities. The new Sustainable Development Goals that governments will agree in September should be used to galvanise action on inequality, not least through the principle of Leaving No One Behind.

Mr Quantrill added: “The Goals, as well as the Paris climate summit at the end of the year, should also be used to drive the urgent changes needed to slow dangerous climate change.

“And to generate the funding that will pay for creating a better, safer world, we must move beyond aid, which, whilst critical, will never be enough on its own.

“Tax is the most reliable and sustainable form of financing for all governments but only a determined assault on financial secrecy, combined with fairer global rules and global institutions to manage those rules, will ensure that multinational companies and wealthy individuals start paying their fair shares.”