Millennium Development GoalsMillennium Development Goalsand the UNECE Regionand the UNECE Region

Presentation to the Second Committee

October 2004

Brigita SchmögnerováExecutive Secretary

Economic Commission for Europe

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The UNECE Region is highly The UNECE Region is highly diversifieddiversified

Disparities betweenDisparities between the most advanced countries (Western Europe the most advanced countries (Western Europe

and North America),and North America), the emerging market economies (new EU the emerging market economies (new EU

members, new acceding countries and a few members, new acceding countries and a few East European countries), andEast European countries), and

the less advanced economies (South-East the less advanced economies (South-East European and CIS countries).European and CIS countries).

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Focus on CIS countries and SEE Focus on CIS countries and SEE countriescountries

Half of the CIS and SEE countries are expected Half of the CIS and SEE countries are expected to miss at least one of the MDGs.to miss at least one of the MDGs.

Deterioration in 1990s; moderate progress in Deterioration in 1990s; moderate progress in most countries from 2000 might indicate a most countries from 2000 might indicate a reversed trend.reversed trend.

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Factors having an impact:Factors having an impact:

Transition: political, economic, social.Transition: political, economic, social.

Many economies in transition have high Many economies in transition have high unemployment rate, and/or depend on aid.unemployment rate, and/or depend on aid.

War conflicts, in SEE: 400 thousand killed, 5.5 War conflicts, in SEE: 400 thousand killed, 5.5 million refugees or internally displaced.million refugees or internally displaced.

Positive developments:Positive developments:

GDP growth in CIS 1999-2003: 7%;GDP growth in CIS 1999-2003: 7%;

7 out of 15 East European countries and 3 out of 7 out of 15 East European countries and 3 out of 12 CIS countries surpassed the 1989 GDP level.12 CIS countries surpassed the 1989 GDP level.

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MDG 1: PovertyMDG 1: Poverty(halve the proportion of people living on(halve the proportion of people living on

$2 a day)$2 a day) The only region where poverty became more The only region where poverty became more

widespread during the 1990s (from 31 million to widespread during the 1990s (from 31 million to 90 million).90 million).

To reduce poverty in the region economic growth To reduce poverty in the region economic growth is not enough - steps need to be taken to develop is not enough - steps need to be taken to develop pro-poor growth policies and reduce inequality.pro-poor growth policies and reduce inequality.

Proportion of people living on less than $1 a day: Proportion of people living on less than $1 a day: Armenia, Tajikistan: 12%;Armenia, Tajikistan: 12%;

Uzbekistan: 19%;Uzbekistan: 19%;

Moldova: 22%.Moldova: 22%.

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MDG 2: Achieve universal primary MDG 2: Achieve universal primary educationeducation

The majority of countries have reached full The majority of countries have reached full enrollment.enrollment.

Trends are constant or deteriorating in Albania, Trends are constant or deteriorating in Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia and TajikistanArmenia, Belarus, Georgia and Tajikistan..

MDG 3: Gender equalityMDG 3: Gender equalityThe region does well in comparison with others The region does well in comparison with others in terms of gender equality in primary schools, in terms of gender equality in primary schools, but deterioration has been observed in many but deterioration has been observed in many CIS countries in terms of gender equality in CIS countries in terms of gender equality in employment, wages and access to assets. employment, wages and access to assets.

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MDG 4: Reduce child mortalityMDG 4: Reduce child mortality

The region’s "under-five" mortality rate in 1990 The region’s "under-five" mortality rate in 1990 was lower than in any other region. was lower than in any other region.

The region is making slow progress to meet the The region is making slow progress to meet the MDG but is unlikely to meet the MDG target of MDG but is unlikely to meet the MDG target of 2/3 reduction. However, many countries are 2/3 reduction. However, many countries are likely to reach the level of child mortality of high likely to reach the level of child mortality of high income countries.income countries.

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MDG 5: Improve maternal healthMDG 5: Improve maternal health

Most countries in the region are unlikely to Most countries in the region are unlikely to achieve a 75% reduction in maternal mortality - achieve a 75% reduction in maternal mortality - but many countries already today reach the level but many countries already today reach the level of maternal health of high income countries.of maternal health of high income countries.

However, in several low income countries However, in several low income countries maternal health has deteriorated.maternal health has deteriorated.

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MDG 6: Combat HIV, malaria and MDG 6: Combat HIV, malaria and other diseasesother diseases

The region is experiencing the world's fastest The region is experiencing the world's fastest growing HIV/AIDS epidemic and a worrying growing HIV/AIDS epidemic and a worrying spread of tuberculosis.spread of tuberculosis.

More than half of the low and lower middle More than half of the low and lower middle income countries appear unlikely to achieve this income countries appear unlikely to achieve this goal.goal.

MDG 7: Ensure environmental MDG 7: Ensure environmental sustainabilitysustainability

The biggest challenge is in water supply and The biggest challenge is in water supply and sanitation - there is a serious issue of water quality.sanitation - there is a serious issue of water quality.

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The Regional dimensionThe Regional dimension

Different sets of consistent policies to be Different sets of consistent policies to be developed at:developed at:

- country level; - country level; - regional - regional level;level; - international level. - international level.

All regions are different and regional policies All regions are different and regional policies need to be adapted to each region.need to be adapted to each region.

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Factors underlying the differences Factors underlying the differences and commonalities in regional and commonalities in regional policies for achieving MDGspolicies for achieving MDGs

ESCAP, ECA and ECE: sharp heterogeneity ESCAP, ECA and ECE: sharp heterogeneity within the region;within the region;

ESCWA: armed conflicts and weak economic ESCWA: armed conflicts and weak economic growth;growth;

ECLAC: highest income inequality, low growth ECLAC: highest income inequality, low growth and growth volatility.and growth volatility.

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Regional perspectives on MDGs:Regional perspectives on MDGs:ESCAPESCAP

3 groups of performers:3 groups of performers: Fast achievers - meet income poverty and "on Fast achievers - meet income poverty and "on

track" in other targets.track" in other targets. Slow achievers - South Asia and West Asia - Slow achievers - South Asia and West Asia -

appear on track in income poverty, education appear on track in income poverty, education and drinking water.and drinking water.

Off-track countries - largest number of absolute Off-track countries - largest number of absolute poor (700 million) - concern in meeting targets poor (700 million) - concern in meeting targets on hunger and other goals.on hunger and other goals.

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Regional perspectives on MDGs:Regional perspectives on MDGs:ESCWAESCWA

The region will not succeed in halving extreme The region will not succeed in halving extreme poverty.poverty.

Large diversity between countries (oil producers Large diversity between countries (oil producers and non-oil producers).and non-oil producers).

Political instability affects all goals.Political instability affects all goals. Challenges: armed conflicts and weak economic Challenges: armed conflicts and weak economic

growth.growth.

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Regional perspectives on MDGs:Regional perspectives on MDGs:ECLACECLAC

Sharp inequality is an obstacle to achieving the Sharp inequality is an obstacle to achieving the MDGs: the level of inequality worsened in MDGs: the level of inequality worsened in several countries during the 1990s.several countries during the 1990s.

Slow growth: need to improve international Slow growth: need to improve international cooperation, competitiveness and governance.cooperation, competitiveness and governance.

Deterioration of natural resources.Deterioration of natural resources.

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Regional perspectives on MDGs:Regional perspectives on MDGs:ECAECA

Difference between Sub-Saharan Africa and the Difference between Sub-Saharan Africa and the rest of the continent.rest of the continent.

Sub-Saharan Africa will have difficulties in Sub-Saharan Africa will have difficulties in meeting targets.meeting targets.

Slow growth - need to support pro-poor policies Slow growth - need to support pro-poor policies for economic growthfor economic growth..

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Regional dimension in achieving Regional dimension in achieving MDGs: the Role of Regional MDGs: the Role of Regional

CommissionsCommissions1. To help formulate adequate policies and to 1. To help formulate adequate policies and to

facilitate their implementation:facilitate their implementation: Regional trade policies;Regional trade policies; Regional transport policies;Regional transport policies; Regional cooperation in environmental Regional cooperation in environmental

protection;protection; Regional security policies etc.Regional security policies etc.

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Regional dimension in achieving Regional dimension in achieving MDGs: the Role of Regional MDGs: the Role of Regional

Commissions (cont’d)Commissions (cont’d)

2. To provide:2. To provide: Forum for policy dialogue;Forum for policy dialogue; Forum for exchange of experiences;Forum for exchange of experiences; Assistance in building partnerships;Assistance in building partnerships; Monitoring of MDG goals;Monitoring of MDG goals;

• Development of methodology of Development of methodology of measurement;measurement;

• Comparative analysis in the regions.Comparative analysis in the regions.