The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are the most broadly supported, comprehensive and specific development goals agreed by the global community and endorsed by The United Nations. It was adopted in 2000 and set to be achieved by 2015. The goals eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality and empower women, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability, and develop a global partnership for development. They provide a framework for the entire international communities to work together towards a common end-ensuring that human development reaches everyone and everywhere. If these goals are achieved, world poverty will be cut by half, ten millions of lives will be saved, and more people will have the opportunity to benefit from the global economy.


On the other hand, Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) are being like the international community begins to realize the risks on human life that these diseases present. NCDs currently contribute to 63% of global deaths and approximately 90% of NCD deaths under age of 60 occur in developing countries. With just three and a half years left to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the global health agenda already seems full. Yet, as the United Nations agencies and programs continue to work toward delivering as one, it is necessary to better understand the challenges in achieving the MDGs by 2015. Progress on global health is a pre-condition for progress on development. Success in global health cannot be achieved without bold coordinated efforts to incorporate NCDs prevention, control and care into the current work stream.