Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
respect of 34 targets, no progress has been made or deterioration and
reversal have occurred. Finally, in as many as a further 66 cases, it is
not expected that the MDG targets will have been met by 2015.
Thus in respect of the majority of targets viewed by continental divi-
sion, that is some 100 out of 160, the outcome looks set to be negative by
2015 judging by present progress. Table 1.5.1 shows where the biggest
numbers of missed targets are likely to be encountered - namely in sub-
Saharan Africa, followed by Oceania, CIS Asia and Western Asia.
The situation pertaining to sub-Saharan Africa is by far and away
the most worrying, with all 16 constituent boxes showing either no
progress or that the target is not expected to be met by 2015. Overall,
therefore, there clearly remains a great deal to be done. Rigg (2008) has
posed the question as to whether the mechanisms are in place to
achieve the MDGs, other than by exhortation and moral persuasion.
For example, forms of global taxation, such as those involved in what is
known as Tobin-style taxes (see Chapter 5.4) could, at a stroke, raise
the annual monies needed to establish universal primary education
rather than moving slowly toward the target over 15 years (Potter et al.,
2008). This argument is covered in detail in Chapter 5.4.
Once more we reach the same general conclusion regarding the cur-
rent nature and disposition of global development patterns as we did in
Chapters 1.1 to 1.4. While progress is being made in certain regions,
and in particular respects, there remains an enormous amount to do if
gross inequalities are to be meaningfully reduced and development
enhanced by the end of the first quarter of the twenty-first century.
56
key
points
•
The MDGs are a set of agreed international development targets by
means of which it is intended that the world can move toward a more
equitable pattern of development by 2015.
•
There are eight main MDGs and 18 associated targets which are in
turn represented by 48 variables - for example, the percentage of the
population living on US$1.25 or less a day as a measure of poverty.
•
While some progress has been made, the overall situation with
regard to achieving the MDGs is patchy at best.
•
Little or no progress appears to be being made in respect of sub-
Saharan Africa. On the other hand, considerable progress has been
made in Eastern Asia, South-Eastern Asia and Southern Asia.
