'Just do it'

Goal one is to eradicate poverty in all forms everywhere. Can it really be done?

It is definitely an ambitious goal, but it is doable and doable for the first time ever, we have the means to do it. It is all about one thing, and that is mobilizing sufficient political will at the highest level - the Obamas, the Merkels, the Xi Jinpings - and then mobilizing humanity.

What qualifies us as the first generation capable of achieving this goal?

Mainly that we know which policies work. Many nations in Europe and Asia have eradicated absolute poverty through a combination of a strong state and a vibrant market economy. There has generally also been an emphasis on education, so we know the policies, and we have all the economic means we need. The world is awash with cash, it is just a matter of getting the money to the right places, to sustainable development and to the very poor.

You say we need these major players on board to make it happen. Do they demonstrate a sufficient level of commitment?

I think all the main leaders of the world are committed to this goal, but they are sometimes distracted from these long-term goals by crises abroad or domestic problems. But leadership does not only come from above. It can come from below, through civil society organizations and business leaders who can also lead by putting pressure on politicians to get the job done.

If we fast-forward 15 years, do you think we will be looking at a world where extreme poverty has been successfully eradicated?

Unfortunately we will still find extremely poor individuals. But by and large we can achieve the goal by 2030. China, I am absolutely convinced will be there by then, and that makes up a huge number. India will come close, the most difficult place to do this will be Africa.

What is your message to the naysayers of the world?

I say you’re wrong. You are creating pessimism. People are much more likely to be mobilized if they can see it can be done, and there is no real reason for pessimism. We have reduced extreme poverty by half over the past two decades, and nations like Ethiopia and Malawi, which are still poor nations, have reduced child mortality by 70 percent in two decades. It’s astonishing.

If you are a doomsayer who says we can’t do it, you will be proved right. You have to mobilize people on the basis that it can be done. The private sector also has a large role to play. Africa has very limited manufacturing goods and that must change. Economic growth is an essential part of development – Germany, the US and China have developed through economic growth. But we cannot rely on economic growth alone. We also need specific policies targeted at those who have fallen behind.

What might those specific policies look like?

Maybe the most important one are cash-based schemes that have been extremely helpful in Latin America. They target money directly to the very poor, who know best how to use it. We need to contemplate similar schemes for Africa. Micro credit has been extremely successful in Bangladesh and many other nations, and target policies for agriculture, because most really poor people will be in agricultural rather than industrial sectors.

Erik Solheim has served both as Norway's Environment Minister and International Development Minister. He has been Chair of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) since 2013. He hold several awards for his work on climate, including the UNEP's “Champion of the Earth”.