1. 1 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the ESCWA Region Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)

2. 2 Progress Towards Achieving the MDGs in the ESCWA Region Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger Despite reductions in poverty levels in some countries, the ESCWA region will not succeed in halving the proportion of people whose income is less than US$1 between 1990 and 2015. Despite reductions in poverty levels in some countries, the ESCWA region will not succeed in halving the proportion of people whose income is less than US$1 between 1990 and 2015.

3. 3 Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education If ESCWA countries maintain their current progress rate, it is expected that all countries, excluding Yemen, will achieve universal primary education by 2015. If ESCWA countries maintain their current progress rate, it is expected that all countries, excluding Yemen, will achieve universal primary education by 2015.

4. 4 Goal 3: Promote gender equality and women s empowerment Most ESCWA countries, with the exception of Yemen, are expected to achieve gender equality in all educational levels and in youth literacy before 2015. Most ESCWA countries, with the exception of Yemen, are expected to achieve gender equality in all educational levels and in youth literacy before 2015.

5. 5 Goal 4: Reduce child mortality Progress is slow in reducing under-five mortality rates; however, the region is showing progress in measles immunization. Progress is slow in reducing under-five mortality rates; however, the region is showing progress in measles immunization.

6. 6 Goal 5: Improve maternal health It is expected that most ESCWA countries will succeed in reducing maternal mortality ratios by three-quarters between 1990 and 2015. It is expected that most ESCWA countries will succeed in reducing maternal mortality ratios by three-quarters between 1990 and 2015.

7. 7 Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases The problem is less acute than in other regions of the world. The problem is less acute than in other regions of the world. No accurate estimate of the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases in ESCWA countries. No accurate estimate of the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases in ESCWA countries. Data reported for the number of registered cases of HIV/AIDS are understated. Data reported for the number of registered cases of HIV/AIDS are understated. Despite low levels of HIV/AIDS cases, the containment of the malaria epidemic and progress made in combating TB, the possibility of the spread of those diseases on a wider scale throughout the region is possible due to natural, economic and social factors. Despite low levels of HIV/AIDS cases, the containment of the malaria epidemic and progress made in combating TB, the possibility of the spread of those diseases on a wider scale throughout the region is possible due to natural, economic and social factors.

8. 8 Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability Good progress with regard to access to drinking water and sanitation in urban areas; Good progress with regard to access to drinking water and sanitation in urban areas; Lagging progress in terms of access to drinking water in rural areas; Lagging progress in terms of access to drinking water in rural areas; No progress (with no significant change) in the provision of sanitation in rural areas. No progress (with no significant change) in the provision of sanitation in rural areas.

9. 9 Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development Global partnerships for development are yet to be forged. Developed countries are urged to re-think their policies on the following issues in order to create an international economic system that is more conducive to the realization of the MDGs: ODAODA FDIFDI Debt relief and managementDebt relief and management Agricultural subsidiesAgricultural subsidies

10. 10 MDG-related initiatives undertaken by ESCWA Organizing 3 meetings and workshops (between June 2003 - October 2004) to raise awareness on MDGs; Organizing 3 meetings and workshops (between June 2003 - October 2004) to raise awareness on MDGs; Developing and disseminating specialized datasets on MDGs based on national sources; Developing and disseminating specialized datasets on MDGs based on national sources; Compiling data, statistics and reference material on MDGs in the Arabic language; Compiling data, statistics and reference material on MDGs in the Arabic language; Issuing, by end of 2004, the first regional report covering all 13 member countries and tracking progress towards achieving MDGs. Issuing, by end of 2004, the first regional report covering all 13 member countries and tracking progress towards achieving MDGs.

11. 11 MDG-related initiatives undertaken by Member Countries 9 countries in the ESCWA region have prepared their MDG reports, namely: 9 countries in the ESCWA region have prepared their MDG reports, namely: - Bahrain - Egypt, - Kuwait- Lebanon, - Palestine- Saudi Arabia, - Syrian Arab Republic - Yemen - Jordan will be completing its report by the end of October 2004.

12. 12 Challenges facing the ESCWA region in meeting the MDGs Armed conflicts and wars in the region; Weak economic growth; Reliability and validity of data, statistics and indicators; Limited statistical capacity to analyze and disseminate statistics and to monitor progress;

13. 13 Lack of awareness on the importance of implementing and monitoring the MDGs; Lack of financing for achieving the MDGs in some member States; Absence of coordination between the major partners in development (governments, NGOs and the private sector).

14. 14 ESCWAs Plan for Monitoring and Facilitating the Achievement of the MDGs Integrate the MDGs into the work programme; Share knowledge, best practices and lessons learned; Build capacities in member countries to develop statistical data and indicators; Carry out advocacy and awareness-raising efforts; Promote building of partnerships within and among member States.