The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were a set of eight international development goals adopted by United Nations (UN) member states in 2000, with the aim of eradicating extreme poverty and improving the lives of people around the world. The MDGs were supposed to be achieved by 2015. While there was some progress made in achieving the MDGs, many targets were not met.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the UN in 2015 as a follow-up to the MDGs. The SDGs are a set of 17 goals with 169 targets that aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. The SDGs were adopted with the recognition that economic, social, and environmental development are interconnected and must be addressed together.
Unlike the MDGs, which primarily focused on developing countries, the SDGs apply to all countries, both developed and developing. The SDGs take a more comprehensive approach to development, addressing issues such as inequality, climate change, and sustainable development.
The transition from the MDGs to the SDGs involved a broad consultation process, including input from governments, civil society, the private sector, and academia. The SDGs were developed through an inclusive process that involved extensive consultation and negotiation among member states.
One of the key differences between the MDGs and the SDGs is that the SDGs are more comprehensive and address a broader range of issues. The MDGs primarily focused on poverty reduction, while the SDGs address a range of issues including health, education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, renewable energy, sustainable cities, climate action, and biodiversity, among others.
The SDGs are also more ambitious than the MDGs, with a greater emphasis on partnerships and multi-stakeholder collaboration. The SDGs recognize that achieving sustainable development will require the collective effort of governments, civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders.