Success factors of global goal-setting for sustainable development: Learning from the millennium development goals

The millennium development goals (MDGs) were an important precursor to the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Hence, identifying the conditions that made the MDGs successful enhances our understanding of global goal-setting and informs the global endeavour to achieve the SDGs. Drawing on a comprehensive review of 316 articles published between 2009 and 2018, we identify six factors that have enabled or hindered MDG implementation. Our analysis stresses the importance of path dependencies and shows that the MDGs catalysed changes only for those countries with sufficient resource availability, administrative capacity and economic development, as well as adequate support from external donors. National ownership and NGO pressure bolstered efforts to implement the MDGs. These findings suggest that globally agreed goals do not easily trickle down from the global to the national level. Thus, this article adopts a forward-looking perspective and draws key lessons for the current implementation of the SDGs in developing countries.

Automated summary

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were a crucial foundation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A comprehensive review of 316 articles published between 2009 and 2018 identifies six factors that facilitated or impeded MDG implementation. The analysis highlights the significance of path dependencies and demonstrates that MDGs only brought about changes in countries with sufficient resources, administrative capacity, economic development, and external donor support. National ownership and NGO pressure strengthened MDG implementation efforts, indicating that globally agreed goals do not easily trickle down to the national level. This article provides forward-looking insights and lessons for the current implementation of the SDGs in developing countries.