西元2000年聯合國發表「千禧年宣言」，隔年再提出「千禧年發展目標」：希望在2015年達到消除貧窮、普及基礎教育、性別平等、降低兒童死亡率、改善孕產婦健康、控制重大傳染病、環境永續發展，及全球合作共八大目標。千禧年發展目標深具公共衛生意涵，每項均為已知的健康決定因素，影響全球健康政策制定、實務工作與學術研究的方向。隨著2015年期限將屆，全球一方面檢討進度，另一方面則熱烈討論可能接續的永續發展目標。本文回顧千禧年發展目標的背景、進度及挑戰，指出台灣有待彌補的知識與發展落差，最後強調台灣應關心千禧年發展目標運動，以及參與後2015年議程的國際活動。

Following the Millennium Declaration in 2000, the United Nations introduced eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to: 1) eradicate poverty, 2) achieve universal primary education, 3) promote gender equality, 4) reduce child mortality, 5) improve maternal health, 6) combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, 7) ensure environmental sustainability, and 8) establish global partnerships for development. MDGs as a whole have profound implications for public health since each goal is a proven health determinant. From policy to research, these goals shape the landscape of global health. As the 2015 deadline approaches, the international community shows intensified interest in assessing progress and setting a new set of goals in the framework of sustainable development. This article traces the socio-political context of the emergence of MDGs, reviews current progress and emerging issues, and identifies Taiwan's gaps in knowledge and action. It concludes by urging Taiwan to pay closer attention to global development issues and to participate in the post-2015 forum.