In September 2000, world leaders pledged to "spare no effort to free our fellow men, women and children from the abject and dehumanizing conditions of extreme poverty."

More than half way towards the target year of 2015, it is clear that the important progress towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has been made, but it is equally clear that progress is not taking place fast enough for the international community to meet its commitments. The global financial and economic crisis in all its facets has made this daunting task even tougher.

UNIDO recognizes the MDGs as the overarching framework for collective action and believes that a competitive and environmentally sustainable industry plays a crucial role in accelerating economic growth, thereby reducing poverty and helping to achieve the MDGs.

UNIDO supports developing countries in reducing poverty through productive activities, improving their capacity to trade and gain access to international markets, and through energy access for the poor as well as promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy to fight climate change (click here for feature story on the Montreal Protocol). And, while all eight MDGs are critically important, UNIDO especially focuses on four MDGs (MDG1, MDG3, MDG7 and MDG8) specifically highlighted below:

•    MDG 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger - more...
•    MDG 2: Achieve universal primary education
•    MDG 3: Promote Gender equality and Empower women - more...
•    MDG 4: Reduce child mortality
•    MDG 5: Improve maternal health
•    MDG 6: Combat HIV/Aids, Malaria and other diseases
•    MDG 7: Ensure Environmental Protection – more…
•    MDG 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development - more