Governments around the world, including the UK have signed up to the new set of Sustainable Development Goals with the aim of eradicating extreme poverty over the next 15 years. The UK Department for International development is widely recognised as a leading development agency. The commitment to allocate 0.7 per cent of gross national income to aid reflects the UK’s on-going commitment to global efforts to eradicate poverty.

While the advances in human development over the past fifteen years are unprecedented, so are the challenges that lie ahead: international public health threats; prosperity and security; and climate change do not respect national boundaries and demand global responses. Parliamentarians have a key role to play in Britain maintaining a leadership role in international development. 

This briefing sets out ten priority areas for engagement and sets out some practical approaches to build progress around key Sustainable Development Goals.