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UN DESA Monthly Newsletter for July 2025

Advancing the global goals together

“The multilateral system is the best we’ve got. There is no other system that can help us to deal with our global problems,” says Bob Rae, President of the Economic and Social Council and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations. As the international community is getting ready to convene for the 2025 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development this month, Ambassador Rae stresses the opportunities for multilateral action.

“The Pact for the Future, as well as the SDG Political Declaration of 2023, have given us the chance to define a common vision to advance sustainable development. Now is the time to reaffirm our collective commitment to the 2030 Agenda and to take decisive action to address today’s interlocking crises,” says Mr. Rae.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are shared pathway to building an inclusive, peaceful, thriving and healthy world for all. We must act now, and act boldly. With only five years remaining, we cannot afford to lose momentum on our 2030 promise. The time for words has passed, now is the time for action.

This call to action comes at a moment of global urgency. The world is facing multiple, overlapping crises—from conflict and economic slowdown to rising inequalities, and an accelerating climate emergency. The implementation of the SDGs has become more critical than ever. Alarming, acute hunger reached a record high in 2025 with 343 million people experiencing severe food insecurity. According to the United Nations, the number of forcibly displaced people reached 122.1 million by the end of April 2025.

“Urgent action is critical to reverse alarming trends and consolidate hard-won gains,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “While progress has been uneven and limited on several Goals, notable achievements across regions and countries demonstrate that change is possible.”

Even though extreme poverty has declined around the world despite the profound impact of the global pandemic, there are still over 700 million people living in extreme poverty, and the risk of falling into, or back into, poverty remains high, driven by compounded shocks and crises.

This year’s UN Ocean Conference, Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, Second World Summit for Social Development, and the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) provide important opportunities to strengthen and revitalize multilateralism. In an increasingly interconnected world, these global gatherings serve as essential platforms for fostering inclusive, coordinated, and effective international cooperation for both people and the planet.

As UN DESA’s Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua said, “bold actions are essential to turn the corner and show the world that multilateralism can still deliver.”

Countdown to 2030: How the HLPF is turning commitment into action and impact

On the cusp of the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which launched the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), thirty-seven countries will present bold actions they have taken to advance the SDGs at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, to be held on 14-23 July at UN Headquarters in New York.

Under the theme, Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for leaving no one behind, the HLPF will review in depth Goals 3 (good health and well-being), 5 (gender equality), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 14 (life below water) and 17 (partnerships for the goals) will be reviewed in depth.

The HLPF will also feature a series of special events and close to 190 side events (on-site, off-site and virtual) bringing together governments, international organizations, the private sector and other key stakeholders engaged in the SDGs implementation.

Get the latest event updates on the HLPF website here and follow live via UN Web TV.

Expert Voices

Volume 29 | No.7 | July 2025

Meet the experts helping chart a course to a more sustainable future

When tackling the world’s biggest challenges — from deepening inequalities and economic uncertainty to the climate crisis — it helps to have some of the sharpest global minds at the table. That’s the role of the UN High-level Advisory Board on Economic and Social Affairs (HLAB), a group of 22 distinguished thought leaders in fields such as economics, finance, demography, the environment, and gender equality.

Convened by UN DESA, this diverse group includes former Heads of State, a Nobel Laureate, former senior government officials and intellectual leaders from all regions. They offer independent, cross-disciplinary insights to help shape the UN thinking on sustainable development and bring us closer to a world that leaves no one behind.

The HLAB recently launched its third term with a multi-day session in Bangkok, Thailand. These meetings, held twice a year, are led by UN DESA Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua and include participation from the Principals of the UN Regional Commissions and UNCTAD, among other special guests. Key takeaways are shared with senior UN leadership—including the Secretary-General—to inform decision-making in support of sustainable development.

But the HLAB’s impact goes beyond internal discussions.

Through the UN DESA Global Policy Dialogue Series, HLAB members engage and share their expertise directly with the public—from civil society, students, policymakers and people working toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In Bangkok, members participated in an interactive policy dialogue at Chulalongkorn University titled “Converging Crises, Shared Solutions: Applying Lessons from Asia and the Pacific to Global Challenges,” showcasing SDG good practices for an online and in-person audience.

Before the next HLAB meeting this fall, many of them will participate in Policy Dialogues alongside major UN events in July, including the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) and the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). By connecting global expertise with inclusive dialogue, HLAB is helping to turn big-picture goals into concrete actions and lighting the way toward a more sustainable future for all.

For the full list of HLAB members, please visit the HLAB website. To register for the upcoming Policy Dialogues at FFD4 and HLPF, please visit the Policy Dialogues website.  

Things You Need To Know

Volume 29 | No.7 | July 2025

4 things you should know about the latest data on SDG progress

This month, the world will come together at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) to assess where we stand in our joint efforts to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Where are we advancing, and where are we falling behind? To guide this work, UN DESA’s Statistics Division is launching the latest Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025. Here are 4 things you need to know.

1. The report provides a comprehensive picture of global progress

With only five years left to achieve the SDGs, the report provides a comprehensive picture of global progress and gives readers a compelling reminder of why the Goals matter now more than ever for our shared future. 10 years into the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, the report highlights notable achievements in some key areas: new HIV infections have dropped by 39 per cent since 2010; malaria prevention efforts have saved 12.7 million lives; and 110 million more children and youth are in school now than in 2015. Internet access has surged 70 per cent since 2015 and electricity now reaches 92 per cent of the world’s population. These are numbers reflect real progress made and real lives transformed.

2. Data reveals a harsh reality for many

At the same time, the report reveals some harsh realities. One in 11 people still suffer from hunger, and billions lack access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. Gender inequality persists with women performing 2.5 times as many hours per day of unpaid care work as men. The global landscape is growing more challenging: escalating conflicts, growing geopolitical tensions, record-breaking global temperatures, unsustainable debt burdens, and a staggering $4 trillion annual financing gap that hinders progress in developing countries.

3. Scaled up actions and solutions can advance progress

Despite these obstacles, the message is clear: progress is possible if we scale up solutions and build on hard-won gains. Grounded in the latest evidence, the 2025 edition of the report will help shape policy discussions at the HLPF and guide evidence-based decisions to get the SDGs back on track.

4. Follow the report launch on 14 July to get the latest SDG data

UN DESA will launch this flagship report on the first day of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development on 14 July. Stay tuned for the launch event and be sure to check out the complete report which will be available at 12:30 pm EDT on 14 July 2025 here: The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025

Photo credit: UNICEF/Meerzad

More from UN DESA

Read more here: https://desapublications.un.org/un-desa-voice/july-2025

Nice Conference Adopts Declaration Underscoring Vital Importance of Ocean to Life on Our Planet, Essential Role in Mitigating Climate Change

NICE, FRANCE, 13 June — After a week of deliberation and discussion, the United Nations Ocean Conference today by consensus adopted a political declaration titled “Our ocean, our future: united for urgent action”, stressing that the ocean plays an essential role in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.

“The ocean is fundamental to life on our planet and to our future, and we remain deeply alarmed by the global emergency it faces”, the Conference’s outcome document (A/CONF.230/2025/L.1) said, adding also: “Action is not advancing at the speed or scale required to meet Goal 14 and realize the 2030 Agenda [for Sustainable Development]”.

The declaration, also known as the “Nice Ocean Action Plan”, expressed deep concern that the ability of the ocean and its ecosystems to act as a climate regulator and to support adaptation has been “weakened”.

Underlining the importance of interlinkages between the ocean, climate and biodiversity, the declaration called for enhanced global action to minimize the impact of climate change and ocean acidification. It emphasized the particular importance of implementing various UN agreements and frameworks, recognizing that it would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change and help to ensure the health, sustainable use and resilience of the ocean.

Further emphasizing the need to adapt to the “unavoidable effects” of climate change, the declaration affirmed the importance of the full and effective implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Protocols, as well as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Commending the leadership of small island developing States in highlighting and aiming to address sea level rise, the declaration also expressed concern for the high and rapidly increasing levels of plastic pollution and its negative impacts on the environment.

The declaration reaffirmed shared commitment to accelerating action to prevent and significantly reduce and control marine pollution of all kinds, and reiterated the need to increase scientific knowledge on deep sea ecosystems.

Further, the Conference’s outcome document recognized the “tremendous opportunities” offered by sustainable ocean-based economies for States, especially developing countries, and particularly small island developing and least developed countries, to eradicate poverty and hunger and achieve economic growth and social development.

The declaration recognized the fundamental role of management tools, such as sustainable ocean plans, in achieving sustainable ocean-based economies and the sustainable management of ocean areas under national jurisdiction. It encouraged all States to promote participatory management schemes for small-scale fisheries and highlighted the importance of efforts in regional fisheries management organizations to establish sound management measures for sustainable fisheries and recognized the critical role of maritime transport, routes and infrastructure in the global economy, trade, food and energy security.

Noting the adoption of the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, the declaration called upon States and regional economic integration organizations that have not done so to consider signing and ratifying, approving or accepting the Agreement.

Furthermore, the declaration called on States to promote awareness and education campaigns at the local, national, regional and international levels to inform the public about the importance of a healthy ocean and resilient marine ecosystems. Additionally, it emphasized the critical need for national ocean accounting and mapping of coastal and marine ecosystems, and of the ocean floor to inform policy decisions, development planning, integrated coastal zone management and conservation planning.

Ocean action must be based on the best available science and knowledge, including, where available, traditional knowledge, knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local knowledge systems, while recognizing and respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples, and local communities, in conserving, restoring and sustainably using the ocean, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

The declaration also recognizes that Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 is one of the least funded Goals and that accelerating ocean action globally requires significant and accessible finance and the fulfilment of existing commitments and obligations under relevant intergovernmental agreements.

After the adoption of the outcome document, the representative of the Russian Federation, in explanation of vote, distanced her delegation from paragraph 26 which underlines the need for the swift entry into force of the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction.

Panama’s delegate said that while much progress has been made this week, participants should have left the Conference with the full implementation of the Agreement.

Venezuela’s delegate said that her Government is not party to the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, but despite that, Caracas is committed to today’s outcome document.

Both Chile and the Republic of Korea’s representatives made statements on their joint proposal to host the next United Nations Conference on Oceans in 2028.

Delivering closing remarks, Special Adviser to the Presidents of the Conference on oceans and legal matters Elinor Hammarskjöld said the Conference’s dedication to ocean governance being more inclusive ensures that every voice is heard. “Together, we are shaping a future where cooperation leads to real lasting change”, she said. The adoption of this historic document has been a major achievement for the UN and is a vital step to reversing damage done to the climate.

“The signs of the ocean in distress are all around us”, said Peter Thomson, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for the Ocean. “The time of debating with the denialists is over”, he added.

Special Presidential Envoy for the Ocean of France, Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, said that for thousands of years the ocean has shaped the “global world as we know it”, and for centuries, men have been using the ocean to explore other worlds. For centuries, the ocean has allowed people to trade in goods. “How have we been able to get to the stage where we serve the ocean so poorly”, he asked, adding that fully achieving SDG 14 is “not just a simple task”.

The 2025 UN Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, was held in an effort to boost commitments among nations, world leaders, environmental agencies and groups.

Read more here: https://press.un.org/en/2025/sea2231.doc.htm

Energies Rivers & The Ocean Cleanup Collaborate with Meycauayan LGU for River Restoration

Photo of The Ocean Project Interceptor c/o user Motkay Wikimedia commons.

Meycauayan, June 2025 — The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Meycauayan, in collaboration with Energies Rivers, Corp. and The Ocean Cleanup, is launching a comprehensive cleanup and restoration of the heavily polluted Meycauayan River. The Ocean Cleanup’s Interceptor technology is set for deployment in September 2025.

On June 12, 2025, Ocean Cleanup Founder & CEO Boyan Slat announced at the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) its “30 Cities Program to ocean plastic pollution from rivers by one third by 2030.”

Meycauayan River has long suffered from pollution caused by industrial waste, household garbage, and other contaminants, negatively impacting local communities and ecosystems. The Interceptor is—a solar-powered, autonomous system that captures and removes floating debris and plastic waste before it reaches larger bodies of water, including Manila Bay.

The significant reduction of waste in the river improves water quality, restore aquatic habitats, and support biodiversity recovery. Furthermore, debris removal will help mitigate flooding risks caused by clogged waterways, strengthening community resilience.

The project team, including experts from Energies Rivers and The Ocean Cleanup, is currently conducting detailed assessments using data from local environmental agencies and previous studies to ensure effective deployment.

This initiative marks a significant milestone in Meycauayan’s commitment to environmental sustainability and community well-being. The partnership led by Mayor Henry R. Villarica exemplifies a unified approach to combating pollution through innovative technology, sound engineering, and sustainable management. Montgomery Simus, Ocean Cleanup Global Director of Public Affairs, Policy, and Blue Finance, persistently pursues this breakthrough with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Through this project, Meycauayan not only aims to rehabilitate its river but serves as a model for other communities facing similar environmental challenges.

Read more here: https://theoceancleanup.com/updates/the-ocean-cleanup-launches-30-cities-program-to-cut-ocean-plastic-pollution-from-rivers-by-one-third-by-2030/

 

APBest Congratulates Associate Justice Raul Villanueva

APBest warmly congratulates Justice Raul Bautista Villanueva on his appointment as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. His years of service in the judiciary, most recently as Court Administrator, show his deep commitment to justice and improving the court system. His work has helped make the courts more efficient and accessible to the public.

Justice Villanueva is known for being fair, hardworking, and dedicated to the law. His new role in the Supreme Court is a well-deserved recognition of his contributions. We wish him all the best as he takes on this important responsibility and continues to serve the country with integrity.

UN DESA Monthly Newsletter for June 2025

Milestone moments to protect the ocean, ensure online safety and secure financing for a sustainable future

This year, UN DESA is leading milestone events aimed at advancing sustainable development for all. Many of them are lining up this month, bringing together the international community to focus on promoting a healthy ocean, our digital future and unlocking financing to deliver the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Amid busy preparations, UN DESA’s Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua discussed these events and their critical importance for our shared future on a healthy planet.

UN DESA Voice caught up with Mr. Li as the Department is ramping up efforts to support and coordinate the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) this month. For both the UNOC3 and the FFD4 Conference, Mr. Li is serving as Conference Secretary-General.

Overlooking the East River from the UN Headquarters, we started our conversation by discussing the current state of the ocean and what difference the UN Ocean Conference intends to make to protect this vital planetary resource.

“The ocean is in a state of emergency”

“The ocean is in a state of emergency,” Mr. Li said, describing an alarming situation where the health of the ocean is threatened by climate change, plastic pollution, ecosystem loss, and overexploitation of marine resources.

While the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, also known as the BBNJ Agreement, along with the World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, have contributed to improvements, Mr. Li noted that “the international community’s response is falling short of the ocean targets outlined in SDG 14.”

It is against this backdrop, Mr. Li stressed, that the third UN Ocean Conference is taking place, from 9 to 13 June in Nice, France, seeking to boost “urgent, coordinated efforts to reverse the ocean’s decline.”

Mr. Li described how the Conference will build on the outcomes from the two preceding conferences, feature 10 Action Panels, plenary sessions, special events and hundreds of side-events. “[The Conference] will offer a pivotal moment to change course,” Mr. Li said.

He went on to explain how the event will adopt an action-oriented outcome document, referred to as the “Nice Ocean Action Plan,” seeking to unite a broad coalition of actors with the ultimate goal of turning “ambition into action, and secure a healthy, resilient ocean for generations to come”.

Building trust and ensuring that the Internet works for everyone

Following the UN Ocean Conference, we will also mark 20 years of shaping our digital future when the Internet Governance Forum convenes in Lillestroem, Norway, from 23 to 27 June. We spoke with Mr. Li about how we can build trust and ensure that the Internet works for everyone.

“To ensure technologies work for everyone, we must build digital trust and resilience, foster sustainable and responsible innovation, bridge the digital divide and promote universal access and digital rights, and strengthen meaningful digital governance,” Mr. Li said.

He also underscored the importance of digital governance, while stressing that “building partnerships in the digital world demands inclusive, transparent, and sustained collaboration across all disciplines and sectors.”

We all know how the Internet plays a crucial role in our daily lives, as well as in development. But as Mr. Li underlined, “challenges like digital divides, cybersecurity, and misinformation persist.” He also explained that this year’s IGF will contribute to the UN General Assembly’s WSIS+20 review, which will evaluate past advancements made since the World Summit on the Information Society.

“IGF 2025 is not just a milestone — it is a decisive opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to an open, resilient, and inclusive Internet, and to ensure digital technologies are governed in ways that serve all humanity,” Mr. Li emphasized.

Unlocking financing to help deliver the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

After the IGF, world leaders will gather in Sevilla, Spain, for the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), taking place from 30 June to 3 July. We discussed with Mr. Li what actions and outcomes he hopes to see as a result of this milestone event.

“[The Conference] convenes during a challenging moment: aid levels are plunging, falling by seven per cent last year, and very likely falling even more dramatically this year; trade barriers are rising rapidly; and geopolitical uncertainty is high,” Mr. Li explained.

He continued, cautioning that “these shocks exacerbate an already off-track SDG financing gap, estimated at four trillion US dollars annually. We are now actually in a sustainable development crisis.”

Delivering an ambitious global financing framework in Sevilla will therefore be of critical importance this summer.

“Bold actions at FFD4 are essential to turn the corner on SDG financing and send a strong signal to the world that multilateralism can still deliver, and that we can still solve global problems through collective resolve and solidarity,” Mr. Li said. He also explained that there are two key avenues to close the financing gap, which are also highlighted in the draft outcome document, currently being negotiated by UN Member States.

“First, a large-scale impact-focused SDG investment push, led by public development banks, and leveraging private investment for impact; and second, ambitious reform of the international financial architecture to be more inclusive, effective, and fit for purpose for today’s challenges,” Mr. Li said.

As we wrapped up, Mr. Li shared the following message with UN DESA’s audiences: “Please join us and follow us at all these upcoming events as we work together towards a sustainable and prosperous future for everyone, for every country.”

To get a personal and a behind-the-scenes take of these and other major upcoming events, join and follow Mr. Li on his newly launched LinkedIn platform here.

For more information:

Third UN Ocean Conference (9-13 June 2025)

Internet Governance Forum (23-27 June 2025)

Forth International Conference on Financing for Development (30 June – 3 July 2025)

Expert Voices

The future of a fair and just digital world

As the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) marks two decades shaping global digital policy, the need to create an equitable online future has never been greater. This year’s Forum, held in Norway from 23 to 27 June 2025, faces complex challenges, with artificial intelligence transforming our online spaces, the ever-present digital divide and growing concerns about digital trust. Chengetai Masango, Head of Office at the IGF Secretariat, explains what’s at stake.

This year, IGF will commemorate 20 years of shaping the digital future. What are some key successes of Forum, and how can we keep this momentum to ensure the Internet is people-centred and equitable?

“Since its first annual meeting in Athens in 2006, the IGF has grown from just over 1,000 participants to nearly 11,000 in Riyadh in 2024. Today, there are 176 national and regional IGF initiatives (NRIs) – one for nearly every country and region in the world – that have emerged organically to replicate the IGF model and provide an invaluable, locally-based feedback mechanism into the global Forum.

This remarkable growth reflects increased global interest in digital governance and the importance of the IGF as an open and bottom-up platform for dialogue. Over time, the IGF has brought more voices into the conversation, particularly from underrepresented groups, youth, and the Global South, and has expanded the circle to include decision-making bodies like parliaments and judiciaries.

The Forum has remained responsive to a changing digital landscape, consistently engaging with new issues – whether AI, cybersecurity or digital fragmentation. Its structure allows it to evolve alongside technological and policy developments, while its multistakeholder model ensures that diverse perspectives are reflected in the discussion.

To maintain momentum requires strategic engagement, including the continued expansion of the IGF’s Parliamentary Track, which facilitates peer knowledge exchanges between parliamentarians and with other critical stakeholders. We need to keep engaging our youth and to cultivate their critical thinking skills online. We need to continue bringing in the marginalized. Billions remain offline, and many more lack meaningful access. Ensuring local and regional experiences inform global policy remains a key priority. The IGF can also support this work by continuing to generate action-oriented outputs and insights that impact policy, foster cooperation and improve digital inclusion.”

As frontier technologies like AI rapidly change the digital landscape, we need to build trustworthy online ecosystems. How can we make sure that our digital future is established upon integrity, security and transparency?

“Algorithmic computing has long been part of digital systems, but new developments, particularly large language models, are rapidly expanding its reach and visibility. These technologies can support progress across sectors if they are designed and used with people in mind. The focus must be on how AI systems are developed, deployed and governed in ways that uphold rights and responsibilities, and the IGF provides a space where these questions are openly debated on an equal footing by diverse stakeholders.

No single actor can tackle these challenges alone; it takes global cooperation and a multistakeholder approach. Through its Policy Network on AI (PNAI), the IGF has emphasized the importance of grounding AI governance in human rights, calling for transparency, accountability and inclusive oversight mechanisms as central to building trustworthy systems.

At the same time, trust in the digital environment has been affected by multiple factors: opaque algorithmic models, the spread of misinformation, unclear platform accountability, and growing concerns about surveillance and data misuse. Addressing these concerns requires coordinated approaches that prioritize transparency, safeguards, and public awareness.

Ultimately, making our digital future trustworthy means giving everyone a seat at the table and a role in shaping the outcome. When we work openly and cooperatively, we reinforce the values of integrity, security, and transparency online. Through collective effort and understanding, we can shape a digital ecosystem that benefits and protects all users.”

Digital technologies are already playing an integral role in addressing sustainable development challenges. What can they do to limit environmental impact and proactively promote affordability, accessibility and inclusion?

“Digital tools support sustainable development across areas such as agriculture, education, health, and disaster preparedness. They can improve efficiency, enable remote access to services and inform better decision-making through data. At the same time, digitalization has environmental costs that must be addressed, particularly the energy use of data centers, AI systems, and large-scale infrastructure. The IGF’s Policy Network on the Environment (PNE) has also drawn attention to the growing problem of e-waste, underscoring the need for sustainable product lifecycles and improved systems for reuse and recycling.

Limiting environmental impact will require stronger incentives for energy-efficient technologies. Open-source approaches can help by encouraging collaborative solutions that are less resource-intensive and better tailored to local contexts. Through its annual meeting and intersessional work, the IGF brings visibility to these concerns and surfaces good case studies from around the world.

Affordability and accessibility remain key barriers. Public infrastructure investment, local connectivity initiatives, and multilingual access are among the ways to reach more people. Inclusion must be embedded into the design of technologies so that everyone – not just those already connected – can benefit from and shape the digital future.”

Follow IGF, happening on 23-27 June 2025: https://intgovforum.org/en

Things You Need To Know

3 things you should know about global efforts to save our ocean

All eyes will be on Nice, France, on 9-13 June 2025, when the international community will gather for the third UN Ocean Conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica. As climate change, plastic pollution, and overexploitation of marine resources pose serious threats, here are three things you should know about global efforts to turn the tide towards a healthy ocean.

1. Progress has been made since the last UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon in 2022

While many challenges have worsened since the last conference took place in Lisbon in 2022, there has been significant progress in some areas. For example, the adoption of the historic Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (“BBNJ Agreement”) and the World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies are major strides. Member States have also continued to work to implement the 2022 UN Environment Assembly resolution entitled “End Plastic Pollution: Towards an International Legally Binding Instrument.” Taken together, these achievements will help us navigate towards a healthier ocean.

2. Ocean-based solutions remain front and center

The vital role of the science-policy interface and science-based innovation in ocean action took center stage when the UN Ocean Decade Conference took place in April 2024 in Barcelona. Following this, the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) in May 2024 saw unanimous calls for the protection and sustainable use of ocean resources for SIDS. Ocean-based solutions have been integrated into discussions at the Conferences of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This built critical connections among ocean, climate change, and biodiversity and world leaders will bring these outcomes to Nice. 

3. 2025 Conference ramps up call for ocean investment

It is estimated that nearly $175 billion per year is needed to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 14 by 2030, but to date, this remains the most underinvested of all SDGs. The political declaration of the UN Ocean Conference covers a range of priorities, calling to invest in a sustainable ocean-based economy, to curb overfishing, to conclude a binding treaty addressing plastics pollution, and to advance ocean science, among others. The declaration also calls for increased ocean investment from all sources. 

Read the SDG Blog by Ambassador Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean: “Why everybody should care about the state of the ocean” 

Follow efforts and the work to save our ocean: 2025 UN Ocean Conference  

Photo Credit:  François Baelen / Ocean Image Bank

 

More from UN DESA

 

Read more here: https://desapublications.un.org/un-desa-voice/june-2025

 

May 2025 UN DESA Voice

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER, VOL. 29, NO. 5 – MAY 2025

“It makes a difference when we get together as a global community”
Only a few weeks into her position, UN DESA’s new Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination, Ms. Bjørg Sandkjær, met with UN DESA Voice for a one-on-one interview. Bringing over 26 years of experience from working within the area of policymaking and international development, we spoke about her background, her passion for international solidarity, her new role, and the difference that international development makes for people around the world.

As we caught up with Ms. Sandkjær in the middle of April, the excitement and energy stemming from the ongoing ECOSOC Youth Forum was palpable at UN Headquarters. Considering her own experience as a youth delegate, the setting was fitting. “There are lots of young people from all over the world coming together in support of multilateralism and the United Nations,” Ms. Sandkjær said. “I look forward to meeting them,” she added, referencing her participation in the event.

Early commitment to international solidarity

Ms. Sandkjær spent part of her childhood growing up in Zambia, where she witnessed first-hand some of the great injustices in society. “This was the start of my commitment to international solidarity,” she said.

“Given my great interest in international collaboration, in dialogue, in bringing countries together to find solutions, I really wanted to work for the United Nations,” Ms. Sandkjær continued. Eventually, her commitment resulted in her successfully passing the National Competitive Recruitment Examination in 2001.

“A dream come true for me,” she said, describing how she started her path at the UN Economic Commission for Africa as a demographer, before moving on within the UN system.

Change can be achieved when we work together

While speaking about efforts towards improving people’s lives around the world, Ms. Sandkjær reflected on how change can truly be achieved when we all work together.

“I have seen great progress in the years that I’ve been engaged in the multilateral arena,” she said, recalling the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo in 1994, when she participated as a youth representative of the World Council of Churches.

“30 plus years since then, we’ve seen that shifts really manifest itself in people’s lives, in communities all over the world,” she said. “It means something that we get together in this space, that is the United Nations,” she said. “We make decisions and then we make them happen.”

“For me, it’s very rewarding to see people being able to raise their voice and to voice their opinion,” Ms. Sandkjær continued, reflecting on what she finds being the most fulfilling working with international development and policymaking.

“It’s quite amazing to be here in the General Assembly Hall, where […] the world gets together,” she said, adding that “we don’t have to agree on everything, but we discuss, we listen to each other, and we come to agreements around important issues for people’s lives.”

Data is the foundation of our work

Ms. Sandkjær also discussed the critical importance of data and how it is the foundation of our work. “It sounds boring, but it is really at the heart of knowing where the problems are, knowing where the issues are, and then being able to figure out how to address them,” she said, naming several vital areas where data makes a difference in our lives; like censuses, surveys, civil registration and tracking progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Discussing some of the events this year, and some of which she will also be overseeing in her role as Assistant Secretary-General, Ms. Sandkjær mentioned the Statistical Commission and the Commission on Population and Development, which completed their sessions earlier this spring. She also described the significance of the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) this summer, and her role in managing the planning and preparation for the Second World Summit of Social Development, which will take place in Qatar in November.

International development makes a difference

As we wrapped up our interview, we asked Ms. Sandkjær what she wants people to know about international development and the difference it makes for people on the ground? “The main message from me is that it works, it makes a difference,” she said.

“When we get together as civil society, as academia, as a private sector, as Member States, as the UN, we can eradicate poverty. We can achieve social justice, and we have the experience. We have the results and the examples to show that it really works.”

To learn more about Ms. Sandkjær’s background and experience, access her biography here. Follow Ms. Sandkjær on LinkedIn here.

Expert Voices

The 2025 STI Forum: A decade of bridging frontier knowledge and policy for global progress

Pioneering scientists and innovators will descend upon New York this month for the UN’s Science, Technology and Innovation Forum. We spoke with our expert, Alex Röhrl, ahead of the Forum about how the Forum has brought together governments, scientists, and entrepreneurs to share new ideas and technology solutions that are making a real difference in fighting poverty, protecting the planet, and improving lives around the world for the past decade.

This year, the Forum is celebrating its 10th anniversary. What impact has the Forum had so far, in leveraging science, technology and innovation to boost progress on the global goals?

“Since its inception in 2016, the UN’s Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation has become the UN’s principal multi-stakeholder hub for bridging science and policy to achieve humanity’s goals and aspirations.

As the flagship annual event of the Technology Facilitation Mechanism, it has reintegrated science and technology discourse into UN Headquarters after decades of absence, catalyzing a wave of initiatives across the UN system. The Forum has brought together governments with thousands of innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs – many new to the UN – stimulating cross-disciplinary, cross-sectoral dialogue.

The Forum has helped surface and scale innovative solutions – ranging from solar-powered health diagnostics to AI for sustainable agriculture. Its science-policy briefs, compiled through global open calls, have addressed frontier areas like synthetic biology, digital public goods and carbon removal.

The Mechanism’s Inter-Agency Task Team now spans 51 UN entities working collaboratively, among others, on capacity-building, including national science and technology roadmaps, and analysis of frontier science and technology developments. Importantly, the Forum fosters inclusivity, with high participation from women scientists and stakeholders from developing countries, ensuring global technological progress is informed by diverse voices.”

What are some of the recent innovations that will help us advance sustainable development and improve peoples’ lives?

“Recent innovations showcased at past Forums offer concrete pathways toward the achievement of our global goals and aspirations. In 2024, youth-led innovations included, among others, inflatable flood barriers for climate resilience, off-grid milk pasteurizers enhancing rural food safety and portable solar-powered air pollution detectors for urban health monitoring​.

On the frontier of science, the convergence of biotechnology and AI is enabling “labs-on-a-chip” that democratize access to genomic analysis, empowering community health surveillance and local biotech development – even in resource-limited settings. AI models are now being developed to optimize water use in agriculture, predict crop yields and enable early disease detection in plants and livestock.

Another promising area is sustainable materials. Researchers are developing biodegradable alternatives to plastics using microbes and seaweed. Meanwhile, the miniaturization and affordability of clean energy tech – like low-cost solar panels and microgrids – is helping electrify last-mile communities.

Many of these innovations emerge from the Global South, reflecting the growing strength of distributed innovation ecosystems. The Forum’s role has been pivotal in elevating these solutions onto the global stage and connecting innovators with funders and policy platforms.”

During this year’s Forum, there are sessions that connect with major upcoming events to protect our ocean and advance financing for sustainable development. Can you tell us how the Forum connects with these events, and how it also works to help solve some of the pressing issues that these events address?

“The Forum’s 10th session strategically aligns with two major milestones: the 2025 UN Ocean Conference and the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. This alignment isn’t accidental – it reflects the Forum’s growing role in broader sustainable development processes. This year’s Forum will have dedicated thematic sessions on oceans and coastal ecosystems and on financing science and technology.

On oceans, the Forum explores science-based innovations for marine protection, from satellite-based fisheries monitoring to ocean-based carbon removal and blue biotechnology. In previous sessions, it highlighted the need for better marine data ecosystems and equitable access to ocean technologies, especially for small island developing States.

On financing, the Forum plays a bridging role, linking innovators with development finance actors. It showcases scalable technologies requiring investment and emphasizes the need for STI-inclusive public finance frameworks. It also builds the case for larger investments in science and technology as catalytic for overall progress, offering co-benefits in health, education and climate.

By convening technologists, policymakers and financiers in one space, the Forum fosters integrated solutions—like financing mechanisms to support community-driven tech innovations or blended finance for climate-smart infrastructure. It operates as a connector, incubator and catalyst across both themes.”

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing our world. What do you see as some of the actionable pathways for AI to reduce inequalities, promote innovation and empower communities worldwide?

“AI holds immense potential to address global inequalities—but only if deployed inclusively. The STI Forum has emphasized that we must not simply ‘apply’ AI to existing systems but co-design it with affected communities to avoid reproducing biases or exclusions.

Actionable pathways include expanding AI capacity-building in the Global South through open-source tools, partnerships with research institutions and South-South collaboration. Community-driven AI projects—like early warning systems for floods or AI-assisted translation for endangered languages—can enhance resilience and preserve cultural diversity.

Another promising avenue is AI for public services. AI-powered health diagnostics can bring advanced care to remote clinics. In agriculture, AI can empower smallholder farmers with real-time guidance on planting and irrigation, improving yields and incomes.

Crucially, the Forum has called for governance innovation. This includes global norms for ethical AI, inclusive data governance and human rights-based frameworks. It has also advocated for investment in and sharing of AI research and infrastructure and the establishment of interdisciplinary science-policy interfaces to guide responsible AI scaling.

The 2025 STI Forum will continue this momentum, with a special focus on AI, helping policymakers and technologists chart equitable, innovative paths forward.”

For more information visit the STI Forum 2025 website.

Things You Need To Know

6 takeaways from the World Social Report 2025

The world has seen extraordinary social and economic progress over the past three decades. Yet, most people are dissatisfied with their lives: 60 per cent of the world’s population are struggling and 12 per cent are suffering, according to a recent global poll. Many also believe that life is worse now than it was 50 years ago. These are some of the key findings from the newly released World Social Report 2025. Here are 6 main takeaways.

1. The social contract is under threat

Rising insecurity and inequality are eroding trust and straining social bonds. While recent crises put insecurity and distrust in the spotlight, these problems have been building for decades.

2. Many people remain one misfortune away from poverty

More than a third of the world’s population lives on between $2.15 and $6.85 a day. Even a minor setback can push people into extreme poverty. In South Africa, for instance, 80 per cent of people experienced poverty at least once between 2008 and 2015.

3. Inequalities persist

Two-thirds of the world’s population live in countries where income inequality is growing. Without urgent action, leaving no one behind will remain a distant goal by 2030.

4. Insecurity and inequality are undermining cohesion and fueling distrust

Over half of the global population has little or no trust in their government. Alarmingly, trust levels have been declining from one generation to the next. The rapid spread of disinformation is exacerbating these troubling trends.

5. Market-first policies have failed to deliver inclusive social progress

Decades of deregulation, privatization, and austerity have sparked social backlash, sowing distrust and political anger.

6. Governments and the international community can chart a different course

Overcoming today’s social crisis and accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals requires fundamental shifts in policy, institutions, norms, and mindsets. The World Social Report 2025: A New Policy Consensus to Accelerate Social Progress, builds the case for a new policy consensus anchored in three principles—equity, economic security for all, and solidarity—essential to strengthening the three dimensions of sustainable development.

Explore the findings of the report here.

Photo credit: UN DESA

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