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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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]