Kuwait has pledged its commitment to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the world community. Kuwait ranks 33rd in the Human Development Index. Despite its affluence, Kuwait is classified as a developing country and as such is expected to report on progress realized in achieving the MDGs. The first national MDG Report, prepared jointly by the Ministry of Planning and UNDP in 2003, and the follow-up report of 2005 show that Kuwait achieved most of the MDGs targets ahead of time. The country is expected to reach its remaining targets by 2015.
The challenges that Kuwait faces in achieving the MDGs are chiefly in the areas of gender equality and the empowerment of women (Goal 3) and environmental sustainability (Goal 7). While Kuwait is performing very well in the indicators pertaining to women’s education, literacy, and wage employment, the main difficulty lies in the political empowerment of women. In May 2005 there was a breakthrough in this area when the National Assembly (the Kuwaiti parliament) approved an amendment to the elections law, allowing women for the first time in Kuwait’s history to vote and run for office. Current democratic practices in the country should enable Kuwait to achieve this target by 2015. UNDP is hoping to work even more closely with both government and civil society counterparts to achieve this Goal.
On the environmental sustainability front, there are two indicators that present a problem: those on energy use and carbon dioxide emissions. Given the structure of Kuwait’s economy and its reliance on the oil production industry, improving these indicators is a real challenge. UNDP is working towards closer cooperation with all stakeholders to respond to these challenges to increase the institutional capacity of related government and civil bodies and also to promote environmental awareness among all sectors of the society.
UNDP Kuwait Progress by Goal
Current status in accordance with national Government reporting:The 8 MDGs break down into 18 quantifiable targets that are measured by 48 indicators. Click here for a full list of Goals, Targets and Indicators.
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Achieved |
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Very likely to be achieved,
on track |
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Possible to achieve if some changes are made |
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Off track |
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Insufficient information |
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Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
The State of Kuwait has eliminated extreme poverty and hunger, according to the MDG Progress Report (2005). The Household Income and Expenditure Survey in 2000 indicated that the average per capita expenditure amounted to $ 11.8 per day which is ten times higher than the international poverty line. |
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Achieve universal primary education
The State of Kuwait is on track to achieve this goal. The indicator on literacy rate of 15-24 years of age is 99.9%, according to the MDG Progress Report (2005). The rate of progress in the enrolment ratio of primary education was not as high as the required 4.8% in 2004. While the proportion of pupils starting Grade 1 who reach Grade 5 is 97.5%, the achievement of this target is feasible in light of the progress made, albeit with additional marginal efforts to be exerted. UNDP has expanded interventions under this goal by providing support to bridge the knowledge gap in early learning challenges to enable individuals with disability in the State of Kuwait. For more information read "A success story - by Dr. Gad Elbeheri". |
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Promote gender equality and empower women
By 2004, the State of Kuwait achieved gender equality in education. According to the MDG Progress Report (2005), the goal of economic empowerment of women can be achieved by 2015 according to the recorded 2004 rates. Political empowerment remains to be a challenge. Since the breakthrough amendment of the election law in 2005 which granted women their political rights, Kuwaiti women have not been able through two parliamentary elections to gain seats in the National Assembly. However, women have gained political ground in the State of Kuwait through appointments to ministerial positions and victories in municipal elections. For more information read "Promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women".
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Reduce child mortality
Despite the challenges the State of Kuwait faces in addressing under-five mortality and infant mortality indicators, the State of Kuwait is prepared to achieve this goal by 2015 in light of the rapid advancements in medical sciences. |
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Improve maternal health
The State of Kuwait achieved the goal of reducing maternal mortality rates by three quarters between 1990 and 2015. According to the MDG Progress Report (2005), available information reveals that skilled health personnel attend to all births in the State of Kuwait. In addition, the required rate of decline of maternal mortality rates indicates that the goal can be easily achieved by 2015.
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Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
The State of Kuwait has been able to protect its citizens from the spread of HIV/AIDS, according to UNAIDS 2004 updated epidemiological fact sheet. The State of Kuwait is also a malaria-free country. According to the MDG Progress Report (2005), the State of Kuwait should be able to combat HIV/AIDS in a continuous fashion.
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Ensure environmental sustainability
Progress towards achieving this goal represents a challenge for the State of Kuwait. Three targets are identified for this goal. First, the integration of the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes and reverse the loss of environmental resources. This target was achieved in 1995 when the Environment Public Authority was established. There is room to leverage this achievement; UNDP in the State of Kuwait is supporting the Environment Public Authority in enhancing the institution's capacities. Indicators on energy use and carbon dioxide emissions represent a major challenge to the State of Kuwait. Second, halving the proportion of people without access to sustainable safe drinking water by 2015. For long, the State of Kuwait has provided 100% access to improved water resources. Third, the achievement of significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slums by the year 2020 has been achieved despite the limited relevance of this target to the State of Kuwait. According to the Public Authority for Civil Information, 97% of Kuwaiti families live in premises with improved sanitation.
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Develop a global partnership for development
Under this goal, the most relevant indicator is the ratio of GNP provided as official development assistance (ODA) to other developing countries. According to the MDG Progress Report (2005), the overall average Kuwaiti ODA is 1.31% of GNP which accounts to almost double the agreed UN target of 0.7% of GNP for advanced countries.
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Kuwait National MDG News
23 September 2008
The UN's Millennium Development Goals.
In an article by H.E the British Ambassador, Mr. Stuart Laing highlights the important juncture the international community faces in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). He emphasized that with poverty presenting the greatest challenge the world faces today, the international community needs to strive towards halving extreme poverty by 2015. This month's High-level Event on the MDGs at UN Headquarters in New York will bring together world leaders to step up the pace to meet the MDGs. As we reach the mid-point for the MDGs, the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights should remind each and every one that every person has the right to health, education, shelter and security.
Read the media coverage below....
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Kuwait Official National MDG Reports
Kuwait’s Report on the Millennium Development Goals
The Millennium Development Goals Report (2007)
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FOCUS ON:
Tracking the MDGs
The Millennium Development Goals Report (2007)
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched report at the opening of the Economic and Social Council's 2007 substantive session in Geneva on Monday 2 July. The Report may be accessed in the other UN official languages, as they become available. Click to download full report. |
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WHAT IS THE MDG MONITOR?
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The MDG Monitor shows how countries are progressing in their efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). With the 2015 target date fast approaching, it is more important than ever to understand where the goals are on track, and where additional efforts and support are needed, both globally and at the country level.
The MDG Monitor is designed as a tool for policymakers, development practitioners, journalists, students and others to:
TRACK progress through interactive maps and country-specific profiles
LEARN about countries' challenges and achievements and get the latest news
SUPPORT organizations working on the MDGs around the world |
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Kuwait
