United Nations agrees goals for sustainable future

The 193 member states of the UN have reached agreement on a development agenda for the next 15 years that calls for eradicating poverty and hunger, achieving gender equality, improving living standards, and taking urgent action to combat climate change.

The draft agreement, which could cost $5tn (€4.57tn) every year, outlines 17 goals with 169 specific targets on issues ranging from ending poverty “in all its forms everywhere” to ensuring quality education, affordable and reliable energy, and protecting the environment.

“We can be the first generation that ends global poverty, and the last generation to prevent the worst impacts of global warming before it is too late,” said UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon.