Discussion Paper on China, the Millennium Development Goals, and the Post-2015 Development Agenda

Discussion Paper on China, the Millennium Development Goals, and the Post-2015 Development Agenda

September 20, 2016

In 2015, the current Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will expire and be replaced by a new globally agreed post-2015 development paradigm. China has made enormous progress in meeting the MDGs. Since China has a fifth of the world’s population, this means that China’s progress has greatly contributed to the achievement of the MDGs globally. Yet between 5-10% of China’s population remains in poverty, and China will suffer the effects of climate change and other global issues. As such, the new development paradigm will require China’s active support and participation. In addition, China’s experience can be shared with other developing countries to help promote sustainable human development for all.

This UNDP China Discussion Paper is largely based on national consultations and workshops on the post-MDGs agenda held in China since 2012. It examines the approaches that China adopted in its attainment of certain MDGs, and identifies the domestic contexts in which such changes took place. It assesses some of the successes and challenges that China encountered in achieving some of the MDGs. While the circumstances that helped China meet some of the MDGs are unlikely to be entirely replicable elsewhere in the world, there are experiences that can be shared from China’s development. Based on the lessons learned from the Chinese experience, the final section of this report addresses some issues to consider in developing a new set of global development goals post-2015.