As 2015 approaches marking the expiry of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Australia is working with the international community to develop the next set of goals for global development. Setting out the country's priorities for future challenges in global development Senator Brett Mason, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, met with the UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Post-2015 Development Planning Ms Amina Mohammed.

Australia, Senator Mason said, will actively participate in the discussions, representing the aspiration of the Indo-Pacific region, as the international community chalks out the agenda for post 2015 global development.

"Australia is proud to have supported developing countries in their efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, particularly in our region," said Senator Mason.

The impact is visible on the ground. Since 1990, the number of people living in extreme poverty in the region has fallen from 54 per cent to below 22 per cent today.

The trend is also seen globally, where implementation of the MDGs has seen extreme poverty fall by half and improved access to safe drinking water, better housing and sanitation.

"Beyond 2015, we need a set of goals that are simple, compelling, and focus the world's efforts on the eradication of extreme poverty through sustainable development," Senator Mason said.

Speaking at the deliberations, Ms Mohammed said that the new agenda will seek to build on the success achieved under the MDGs

"We have seen the MDGs galvanise action, move finance and make a difference to billions of lives. Now we have the opportunity to do even more and even better," she said.

As reported earlier, the UN has been holding wide ranging consultations with world leaders and civil society representatives about their priorities for global sustainable development in the years following the end of the current development cycle in 2015.