The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have, for better or for worse, become the shared framework for development around the world. Adopted by United Nations member states in 2001, these targets were officially established at the Millennium Summit held in 2001 where world leaders adopted the United Nations Millennium Declaration. Eight goals were identified. Goal 7 seeks to “ensure environmental sustainability.”

Goal 7 has four targets:

1. Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes; reverse loss of environmental resources;
2. Reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of loss;
3. Halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation (for more information see the entry on water supply); and
4. By 2020, to have achieved a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum-dwellers

In 2010, the United Nations will not only celebrate biodiversity, but also revisit the progress made on these goals and targets in September 2010 at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.  GBIF will be present. 

Throughout 2010 you will also be able to track and access information on GBIF’s participation in the IYB from the links posted on our webpage.  Information will be updated continually.