In early 2008, soaring food prices drew extensive public attention to the issue of hunger in the Asia-Pacific region. The food price crisis threatened to reverse critical gains made toward reducing poverty and hunger as outlined in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Much of the increased attention focused on the issue of price rather than the structural causes of hunger, including social exclusion, inequitable distribution, access to natural resources and low agricultural productivity.

The 2007 Human Development Report warns that climate change creates zones of extreme vulnerability in poor nations and will become a major obstacle to achieving the Millennium Development Goals if immediate action is not taken.

1 November 2007 – The United Nations has teamed up with technology leaders Google and Cisco to launch a new online site to track global progress toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – the set of ambitious targets the world has set itself for slashing poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy and other social ills by 2015.

Geneva - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) seeks to galvanize global efforts against poverty by launching a new TV spot directed by world renowned film director Wim Wenders, starring UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors Zinédine Zidane and Ronaldo. Created pro-bono by the advertising agency Young & Rubicam (Paris) and produced by LDM Productions the spot shot in Paris on 23 April will be released during the second week of October. It will be broadcast worldwide thanks to the generous support of television channels and networks.

World-renowned photographer Patrick Demarchelier photographed both stars for a new series of UNDP pro bono advertisements for the promotion of the Millennium Development Goals.

26 September 2007 – Maria Sharapova, United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador, has invited NBA star LeBron James to “Team Up Against Poverty” on a new UNDP advertisement to garner support for achieving the eight Millennium Development Goals.