Following the Millennium Summit of the United Nations in 2000, eight international development goals known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS) were officially adopted by the international community. All 193 United Nations member states have agreed to achieve these goals by 2015.
One of the eight goals was to "eradicate extreme poverty and hunger".
Based on statistics available as of June 2012, the MDG Achievement progress chat compiled by Statistics Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations, paints the following picture for Sub-Saharan Africa regarding the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger:
The targets to "reduce extreme poverty by half" and "reduce hunger by half" have already been met or are expected to be met by 2015.
However, in the area of fostering "productive and decent employment", progress so far is insufficient to reach projected targets if prevailing trends persist.
Poverty remains at the root of various socio-economic and political challenges faced by Sub-Saharan Africa. More concerted efforts are required by all stakeholders not only to bolster the progress that has already been made but also to develop more effective ways to eradicate poverty and extreme hunger in Sub-Saharan Africa, post 2015.
