Global development goals guide countries and organizations in improving health, reducing poverty, protecting the environment, and promoting social well-being. This article introduces the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the FIP Development Goals, presented in simple and student-friendly language.
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
The Millennium Development Goals were eight international development targets adopted by all United Nations member countries in the year 2000. They provided a global framework to reduce poverty and improve living standards by 2015.
List of 8 MDGs
- Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
- Achieve universal primary education
- Promote gender equality and empower women
- Reduce child mortality
- Improve maternal health
- Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
- Ensure environmental sustainability
- Develop a global partnership for development
MDGs helped countries achieve major progress in areas such as reducing hunger, increasing school enrollment, improving maternal and child health, and expanding access to HIV/AIDS treatment. However, gaps remained in inequality, environment, and long-term sustainability, which led to the development of a new global agenda.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The Sustainable Development Goals were adopted in 2015 as part of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. SDGs include 17 goals and 169 targets that apply to all countries — developed and developing.
Core Principles of SDGs
- Universal applicability
- Focus on sustainability: economic, social, and environmental
- Leave no one behind
- Integration of health, education, environment, and development
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals
- No poverty
- Zero hunger
- Good health and well-being
- Quality education
- Gender equality
- Clean water and sanitation
- Affordable and clean energy
- Decent work and economic growth
- Industry, innovation, and infrastructure
- Reduced inequalities
- Sustainable cities and communities
- Responsible consumption and production
- Climate action
- Life below water
- Life on land
- Peace, justice, and strong institutions
- Partnerships for the goals
SDGs provide a broader, more inclusive roadmap for global development by addressing poverty, climate change, health, education, economic growth, and environmental protection. Goal 3, Good Health and Well-being, is particularly important for health professionals, pharmacists, and public health workers.
FIP Development Goals
The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) introduced the FIP Development Goals in 2020 to guide the global pharmacy profession. These goals help strengthen pharmaceutical education, practice, science, and workforce development to improve global health.
Key Focus Areas of FIP Development Goals
- Workforce and Education: Competency-based training, continuous professional development, and advancement of pharmacy education worldwide.
- Practice Development: Expanding the role of pharmacists in patient care, public health, and personalized medicine.
- Pharmaceutical Science: Innovation, research, quality assurance, and development of new medicines and technologies.
- Universal Health Coverage Support: Strengthening pharmacy services within health systems to improve access and quality.
- Sustainability: Aligning pharmacy practice with SDGs and promoting environmentally responsible practices.
Examples of FIP Development Goals
- DG 1: Academic Capacity
- DG 2: Early Career Training
- DG 9: Patient Safety
- DG 12: Medicine Expertise
- DG 13: Access to Medicines
- DG 16: Workforce Impact
- DG 21: Sustainability in Pharmacy
These goals support the transformation of pharmacy education and practice and align with global standards to improve patient outcomes and contribute to public health.
Connecting MDGs, SDGs, and FIP Development Goals
While MDGs and SDGs are global development agendas, the FIP Development Goals directly support these frameworks through improvements in medicines, healthcare delivery, and pharmaceutical workforce readiness.
- MDGs focused on reducing poverty and improving health.
- SDGs expanded this to sustainability, equality, and environmental protection.
- FIP Development Goals help pharmacists contribute to SDG targets, especially SDG 3 (Health) and SDG 12 (Sustainability).
