The last few years haven’t been the greatest in the history books but now all the world leaders have agreed: they must change this one thing for the better of humankind.

Overnight, the UN came to a decision to end one of the biggest issues that faces the world today, even in our backyards.

17 goals and 169 targets will aim to end poverty by 2030, ensure healthy lives, promote education and combat climate change, at a cost of between $US3.5 ($A4.98) and $US5 trillion per year until 2030, reports Sky News.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described the plan as a ‘to-do list for people and planet’ that laid out a ‘universal, integrated and transformative vision for a better world.’

‘The true test of commitment to agenda 2030 will be implementation,’ Ban told leaders. ‘We need action from everyone, everywhere’.

Julie Bishop was in attendance at the summit in New York.

Global goals include redirecting development aid to where it’s needed most and improving transparency in oil-producing countries so revenue can be used to improve the lives of citizens, not oil magnates’ wallets.

In a huge move, the African Development Bank and the World Bank will give money to major infrastructure projects that specifically target ending this horrible world issue.

It’s been long enough – and we’re hoping this new action will really end the suffering for the 836 million people still struggling to survive.

The decision to get rid of poverty for good comes after the Pope’s rousing speech to the UN on a number of topics. On world poverty he said, “To enable these real men and women to escape from extreme poverty, we must allow them to be dignified agents of their own destiny… This presupposes and requires the right to education – also for girls (excluded in certain places) – which is ensured first and foremost by respecting and reinforcing the primary right of the family to educate its children, as well as the right of churches and social groups to support and assist families in the education of their children. Education conceived in this way is the basis for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and for reclaiming the environment”.

You can read his full speech via TIME here.

Tell us your thoughts: Do you feel more needs to be done to end world poverty sooner?