Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 4 • Number 18 • 8th October 2004
Draft Plan Released on Millennium Development Goals
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On 23 September, an advisory body to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan — the Millennium Project — released a preliminary draft report on meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Regarding the role of trade, the draft report stresses that while increased openness to trade is key to economic development, it is not a “magic bullet” for developing countries. Rather, the draft report suggests that trade policy should complement other parts of development policy such as infrastructure investments and social programs. The draft criticises agricultural protectionism in wealthy countries and urges developing countries to seek enhanced market access in the agricultural sector. The report, now open for public consultation, will undergo revisions before the final report of the Project is published in January 2005 to be used by a UN Summit reviewing progress towards achieving the MDGs. Adopted in September 2000, the eight MDGs are centred on national targets for poverty, child mortality, maternal health, education, gender equality, and environmental sustainability. They also include targets for establishing an international trade and finance policy framework that favours development. Numerical targets have been set for each goal, most of which are set to be achieved by 2015.
Interim report of Task Force 9 on trade.
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