The current generation of young people can realistically see an end to extreme poverty by 2030.

The last 15 years on the development scene have witnessed an incredible amount of progress. The Millennium Development Goal, set in 2000, of reducing extreme poverty rates by half was met an impressive five years ahead of the 2015 target. When the world comes together, we can achieve remarkable things. But in order to hit the goal of ending extreme poverty in the next 15 years, the world must continue to set aggressive targets, which requires committed financing and a revision of current global tax rules, which allow for too much corporate tax evasion.

Here’s some context...

In September of this year, leaders will agree on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of targets that will provide a roadmap to ending extreme poverty and creating a healthy, equitable world for all. In December, decision makers will come together again to forge a binding climate change agreement that will form the basis of slowing, and hopefully reversing, climate change going forward. Key to the success of these negotiations will be achieving consensus around the "means of implementation"...aka money - whether that’s official development assistance, domestic mobilization, innovative financing, or tax.

Without clear indications around how the goals will be met and financed, the SDGs and climate goals will not be achievable and countries may adopt weak targets.

What’s the Opportunity?

The World Bank Spring Meetings in April is the only time the leaders who control the world’s financial resources will come together before the Financing for Development Conference in July. This is the moment for every one of us to call for serious investment to end extreme poverty and tackle climate change. Global citizens need to take advantage of it and get Finance Ministers to put their money where their mouths are!

What can global citizens do to make this happen?

Global citizen can call on Finance Ministers to be Heroes by attending the Financing for Development Conference in Addis Ababa and prioritizing funding for the Sustainable Development Goals and climate change commitments.

Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day is THE key moment for taking action

As influential policy makers and Finance Ministers gather for the World Bank Spring Meetings, Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day lends the perfect platform to call for serious investments in ending extreme poverty through sustainable development. We can do this by asking Finance Ministers to commit to:

-Ensuring aid goes to the poorest people in poor countries

-Securing billions annually to fully fund health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation for all

-Unlocking additional resources beyond aid for the purpose of sustainable development, including curbing climate change

-Stopping tax dodging and curbing illicit financial flows

So let’s take action!

If you haven’t already, go to the TAKE ACTION NOW and tweet at your Finance Ministers so we can ensure that education, health, food security, gender equality, sustainable development, and climate management efforts receive the funding they need to make a difference.