Day 5: The Goal 1 «No poverty» was covered on the SDGs consultations

The first in the list of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), «End poverty in all its forms everywhere» was presented by the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the Ministry of Economy and Development of Turkmenistan during the SDGs national consultations. The discussion was supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and UN Women. The goal includes the following,

«Eradicating poverty in all its forms remains one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. While the number of people living in extreme poverty has dropped by more than half – from 1.9 billion in 1990, to 836 million in 2015 – too many are still struggling for the most basic human needs.

Globally, more than 800 million people are still living on less than $1.25 a day; many lacking access to adequate food, clean drinking water and sanitation. Rapid economic growth in countries like China and India has lifted millions out of poverty, but progress has also been uneven.

Women are disproportionately more likely to live in poverty than men due to unequal access to paid work, education and property.

Progress has also been limited in other regions, such as South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, which account for 80 percent of the global total of those living in extreme poverty. This rate is expected to rise due to new threats brought on by climate change, conflict and food insecurity.» [1]

Representatives of about eight national ministries and agencies discussed the proposed seven targets to the Goal 1 and their relevance to Turkmenistan. Participants of today'sRepresentatives of about eight national ministries and agencies discussed the proposed seven targets to the Goal 1 and their relevance to the country. consultation agreed to adopt all of the proposed seven global targets, with five of 12 indicators accepted without modification, two were adjusted to the local context and one national indicator was developed. Three indicators were left for further clarification.

Two targets related to eradication of poverty brought particular attention. As it is highly important to give a specific definition to the poverty and well-being lines, the participants recommended to develop a legal definition to a well-being and poverty lines, which do not exist in the country. Further steps for both targets include a normative legal framework.