The millennium development goals have had more traction than any previous attempt to use indicators to move development forward. They are not perfect. But they symbolise a broad commitment to basic standards of decent living.
So here are three things that the UN summit needs to do.
First, it needs to recommit all governments to improving policies and investing more resources in improving basic living standards. This requires growth, but also measures to spread its benefits. It requires high levels of public and private investment and continued aid transfers. The willingness of both traditional and emerging donors to support major multilateral replenishments such as the International Development Association and the Global Fund is a key test.
Second, public resources, including aid, are a scarce commodity and need to be used effectively. So transparency, accountability and better evaluation in respect of all public spending - including, but certainly not limited to, aid - are vital. Agreed principles of aid effectiveness need to be translated into much more change on the ground.
Third, the international community needs to start a high-level reflection on the impact of the MDGs and on what, if anything, should replace them in 2015.
• Richard Manning is chairman of the OECD's development assistance committee