Overcoming Inequality: The Road to 2015

As the 2012 deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals approaches, governments, non-government organisations, UN agencies and others are turning their attention to the post-2015 agenda. Dialogue on this issue is critical - but it should not deflect political attention from the importance of honouring the MDG pledge to create a more equitable world.

Governments need to focus on the unfinished business in hand. Failure to accelerate progress towards the MDGs would diminish the credibility of any post-2015 commitments. That is why Africa's governments and their development partners should initiate as a matter of urgency a "big push" towards the 2015 goals, starting this year. Not every country in Africa can reach every target - but every country can go further and faster. Tackling the region's persistent, deep and growing inequalities could help provide the impetus.