Abstract

I present a critical examination of Goal 8 of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), namely, to ‘develop a global partnership for development’. As of November 2002, seven targets were listed under this Goal, as well as seventeen indicators. Given the wide-ranging issues covered under Goal 8, I review only some aspects of the global economic system, their effects on development and what needs to be done to reach Goal 8. The main focus is on the international trade system and the implications of the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO). I also offer some suggestions on clarifying or adding to the targets and indicators. A key argument of this review is that success in attaining ‘global partnership for development’ underpins or, at a minimum, is linked with efforts in reaching the other seven MDGs, and thus Goal 8 should be given a high priority and efforts to attain it should focus on getting international economic structures, policies and rules right.

Introduction

The origins of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) lie in the United Nations Millennium Declaration, which was adopted by all 189 UN Member States on 8 September 2000. The Declaration embodies many commitments for improving the lot of humanity in the new century. Subsequently, the UN Secretariat drew up a list of eight MDGs, each accompanied by specific targets and indicators. This paper addresses Goal 8, which is to ‘develop a global partnership for development’.