World Bank, 2 May 2007

2007 Global Monitoring Report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) assesses the contributions of developing countries, developed countries, and international financial institutions toward meeting universally agreed development commitments.

This year’s report focuses on gender equality and the lack of opportunities for women as well as the vulnerability of fragile states. Subtitled "Confronting the Challenges of Gender Equality and Fragile States", the authors stress that the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women (MDG – three), is important for reasons of fairness and is also essential to economic well-being and the advancement of such other goals as halving poverty, achieving universal primary education, and lowering the under-five mortality rate. Progress with the MDGs is also a major challenge for the world’s 35 fragile states, defined as nations particularly beset by weak governance and institutions, often compounded by conflict or crisis.

To view the full report, click here.