What is the difference between the SDGs and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)?

Sustainable Development Goals Questions



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What is the difference between the SDGs and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)?

The main difference between the SDGs and the MDGs is their scope and focus. The Millennium Development Goals were a set of eight goals established by the United Nations in 2000, with a target to be achieved by 2015. They primarily focused on poverty reduction, education, gender equality, and health issues in developing countries.

On the other hand, the Sustainable Development Goals are a broader and more comprehensive set of goals established in 2015, with a target to be achieved by 2030. The SDGs consist of 17 goals and 169 targets, covering a wide range of issues including poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, sustainable cities and communities, climate action, and biodiversity conservation, among others.

While the MDGs primarily focused on developing countries, the SDGs are universal and apply to all countries, recognizing that sustainable development is a global challenge that requires collective action. Additionally, the SDGs emphasize the interconnectedness of various issues and the need for integrated approaches to address them, promoting a more holistic and inclusive approach to development.