2015 marks the end of enforcement of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), set by world leaders 15 years ago to counteract poverty and climate change and to achieve a more equal global society. The new purposes, to be known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fix a new way to face world’s most pressing issues until the next critical deadline in 2030. Despite there has been significant progress in meeting the MDGs targets, numerous challenges persist. 805 million people are undernourished, living in poverty. 73 million young people are looking for work and many are trapped in exploitative jobs. Meanwhile, populations continue to suffer due to some of the world’s deadliest conflicts. Mr Richard Jolly, a former UN Assistant Secretary-General and member of the UNICEF, analysed the progresses in meeting the MDGs targets, defining the differences between MDGs and SDGs and introducing what are the new global challenges to meet until 2030. The SDGs are universal: nations are really recognizing that all countries need to make an effort for all peoples. Secondly, the SDGs are integrating sustainability and climate change. Twelve of the 17 goals highlight the importance of sustainable development in key areas, such as urban planning, and economic growth, acknowledging the need to take action to combat climate change implications. Besides, notwithstanding the gains made by the MDGs, economic problems, such as the crisis’ after-effect, pose potential problems for the SDGs roll-out. The SDGs and the MDGs have historical significance: nations are realizing there is a single global system; national and international bodies are taking action to tackle poverty and to contrast climate change effects. Mr Jolly did not make any forecast for the success of the SDGs, but he admitted that as international community devotes the next 15 years to realizing them, the mobilization of global support and awareness alone would qualify as a major achievement. The gLAWcal Team EPSEI project Thursday, 26 February 2015 (Source: UN News Centre)