Representatives from a number of non-governmental organisations yesterday took part in an awareness campaign to promote a set of United Nations goals combating poverty, injustice and climate change.

Agreed in September last year at a special UN summit following three years of negotiations, the Sustainable Development Goals focus on 17 specific areas and include 169 targets, which must be reached by 2030.

These targets were based on the Millennium Development Goals that had been set by the UN in 2000 to eradicate poverty, hunger, illiteracy and disease. Though the targets were not entirely reached by 2015, progress was nevertheless registered with extreme poverty being halved when compared to 1990.

Goals set by the UN in 2000 to eradicate poverty, hunger, illiteracy and disease

The new targets also aim to serve as a global framework whereby governments can work together.

The revised goals include global challenges like gender inequality, access to clean water and sanitation, generation of clean energy, environment protection, sustainable cities and communities and the promotion of peace, justice and strong institutions.

The event held yesterday was organised by the Malta EU Action Steering Committee (Meusac), which is the national coordinator for the European Year of Development. The idea is to follow-up the actions initiated last year and to raise awareness on the efforts being made to reach the set goals.

Members of various NGOs, including Friends of the Earth, SOS Malta, Skop, YouTheme Foundation and Kopin, set up informative stands outside Parliament, promoting their efforts to reach the targets.

Free copies of the World’s Best News were distributed to the public. Founded in 2010 by the UN, the Danish publication showcases news and features from the developing countries while focusing on the progress made and the solutions. Last year, the newspaper was translated and distributed in 19 member states.