The Post-2015 Development Agenda

When addressing current and future social, economic, and environmental challenges that are facing the planet, there is now an established consensus that these challenges are interlinked and must be addressed through an integrated approach. The social and economic and environment factors play an undeniable role in human health; only through integration of the three dimensions will it be possible to achieve the transformative change required to secure long-term environmental and human well-being.

As we reach the target deadline for the UN’s Millennium Development Goals, it is time to reassess in which areas global development is meeting our expectations and in which directions we need to focus our future efforts. Firstly, some of the targets set in 2000 are yet to be met; the reasons behind this must be addressed and new strategies devised to accelerate progress in these areas. Secondly, we must consider how our planet, and with it the development agenda, has evolved over the past 15 years; the constantly changing environment means that our future goals are also ever-changing. Most importantly, we must ensure that our future plans for healthcare and development are not only achievable but truly sustainable in order to achieve long-term, stable progress.